The international break has always been an opportunity to reflect on the squad and the transfer market. At Milan, the main focus is particularly on contract renewals. From Pulisic to Rabiot, Gerry Cardinale has the Rossoneri’s key renewal dossiers on his desk, ready to open talks to keep the team’s core players at the club for the long term.
The hottest situation, however, concerns Strahinja Pavlovic. The Serbian defender is under contract with the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028, earning €1.7 million net per season, with an option for an additional year. The proposal Milan are considering is a renewal until 2031, with his salary roughly doubled. Talks between the parties are still at an early stage and there is no agreement yet on the figures, but the shared desire to continue together should help facilitate an agreement relatively quickly.
Strhinja Pavlovic is a pillar:
Pavlovic joined Milan from Salzburg in the summer of 2024. His first year under Fonseca and Conceicao was marked by ups and downs, to the point that a quick departure was even considered in January amid interest from Turkey. In the end, the Serbian centre-back stayed and, the following season, with Massimiliano Allegri on the bench and Milan switching permanently to a three-man defence, he became a regular starter for the Rossoneri.
Things have continued along more or less the same lines under Ruben Amorim. Despite not being the ideal prototype of a defender for the Portuguese coach in terms of playing style, Pavlovic has remained a pillar of the current Milan side. In fact, along with Koni De Winter, he is the only outfield player who has not missed a single minute so far this season.
Amorim considers him indispensable, and Strahinja is repaying that faith with solid and reliable performances.
Life and career
If things are going well on the pitch, off it they could be said to be going even better. Pavlovic became a father in Milan to little Tadija, who was born in April. He and his wife Masa are very happy in the city and recently bought a home.
So, when a few Premier League clubs showed some interest during the summer, “Pavlo” immediately told his agent, former footballer Zvonimir Vukic, that he had no intention of leaving Milan.
There is no doubt about his future at the club either. Pavlovic is regarded by Cardinale and his team as one of the foundations of the squad for the future. In short, unless an offer well above market value arrives, his sale is not even being considered.
Recognition
Clearly, his high level of performance over the past year calls for a salary adjustment. As mentioned, Milan are considering a net annual salary of €3-3.5 million. Pavlovic and his agent will assess that figure before sitting down at the negotiating table, as per Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
The feeling, however, is that the Serbian defender and Milan are destined to remain together for a long time.
