Chelsea
Chelsea and Manchester United eye Strahinja Pavlovic as AC Milan brace for €50m battle
Chelsea and Manchester United have both made serious inquiries about AC Milan centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic ahead of the 2026/27 season. According to Daniele Longo, the Blues are currently leading the chase, though Milan are refusing to budge on their €50 million valuation.
Longo reports that the list of admirers for the 24-year-old Serbian has grown fast lately, with multiple clubs reaching out. While Chelsea are the most aggressive in their interest, Manchester United have now joined the conversation.
A move for Pavlovic could also have a domino effect; his departure might clear the way for Benoit Badiashile to head elsewhere, especially since Milan have shown interest in the Frenchman before. At the same time, Milan’s board are reportedly looking at Lazio’s Mario Gila as a replacement, which explains why they are holding out for top dollar.
Pavlovic has emerged as one of Serie A’s most effective left-sided centre-backs this term, proving his worth at both ends of the pitch, most notably with a brilliant strike against Torino. His stats across 31 league games paint a solid picture: 13 clean sheets, 3.87 clearances per 90, and an elite 83rd-percentile ranking for aerial duels.
However, he isn’t without his flaws. Pavlovic’s tackles (61st percentile) and interceptions (52nd percentile) are fairly average, and he can be a liability, occasionally losing possession in dangerous areas. Having given away two penalties this season, his defensive record suggests there is still room for improvement.
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Does Pavlovic genuinely solve Chelsea’s problem better than Manchester United’s?
Chelsea have a specific tactical void that Manchester United don’t that they need a progressive, ball-playing left centre-back who can thrive in a new manager’s setup. Despite the occasional mistake, Pavlovic fits that profile much better than he does United’s current system.
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United’s interest may be more about market leverage than a desperate need. Chelsea, however, need a defender who can carry the ball through a high press with composure. Spending €50 million on a player with Pavlovic’s potential, while potentially moving Badiashile on, makes a lot of sense for Chelsea’s long-term strategy.
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