Romano: Centre-back ‘keen to move’ as Milan open talks with RB Salzburg

With the European Championship coming to an end, we can expect the mercato to start to liven, and AC Milan have opened talks with one of their favoured options in a key position. 

Milan come into this window in a fantastic place, even if it seems like there is a lot to be achieved in the mercato.

Whilst the previous season was a failure by many accounts, there is a very solid platform to build on, and Paulo Fonesca has known which areas need improvement for a while now. Of course, the first step is to identify talent, but then the next is to pursue it, and the Rossoneri are beginning this step.

Before the window’s opening, reports suggested that Milan will sign players in four main positions as a priority, with opportunities elsewhere being considered as well. At the top of the list, the focuses were a striker and a central defender, and a report suggests that the Diavolo have made the opening steps to sign a player in the latter position.

According to Fabrizio Romano on his X account, the club have opened talks with RB Salzburg to sign central defender Strahinja Pavlovic. The 23-year-old had a fantastic season in Austria, and his form continued into the European Championship.

A left-footed central defender was among Fonseca’s top priorities – as he wants a partner for Fikayo Tomori – and given the defender is ‘keen on the move’, if the figures are right it could be a deal that is quick to finalise.