CM: Milan evaluate Union Berlin man as Pavlovic alternative after ‘great club’ declaration | OneFootball

While AC Milan continue to probe various options for the centre-back position, one of their targets Diogo Leite has extended an olive branch.

According to Calciomercato.com, Milan are looking for a centre-back with a clear idea in mind: replace Simon Kjaer with a left-footed player who can fit into the rotations with Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia, with Pierre Kalulu thus shifting to right-back.

Strahinja Pavlovic is the favourite but – despite an agreement reached with the Serb over personal terms – there is still a wide gap with Red Bull Salzburg regarding the price of the transfer fee.

Diogo Leite remains an alternative option. The Portuguese joined Union Berlin on an initial loan and then in 2023 – after securing qualification for the Champions League – they decided to buy him permanently for €7.5m.

Paulo Fonseca knows him well and loves his characteristics: 1.90m tall, left-footed, dominant in the air, aggressive and very skilled in the build-up phase. He is essentially the natural replacement for Thiaw and would allow Tomori to move back to the right side of the two central defenders.

Leite would gladly embrace the Milan project and he reiterated this in an interview with A Bola: “I always like to think about the present and I am here at Union, doing my best to ensure that the club achieves its objectives.

“Of course, if a good opportunity presents itself for the club and for me, we will see. Then we will decide what is best for both of us. Milan are a great club, everyone knows that, they are at the top of European clubs.

“It is nice when you hear of interest from other clubs, it is a sign that your work is rewarded, that you are doing a good job, and this gives me the motivation to continue working and giving my all every day. We will see what happens.”