Manchester City remains determined to acquire the prolific 20-goal player Matija Popovic on a free transfer, despite encountering challenges with his agents. The interest in Popovic persists, even after AC Milan’s apparent proximity to signing the Serbian wonderkid. AC Milan’s dissatisfaction with Popovic’s representatives led to the collapse of the deal, as the club hesitated due to concerns over the entourage’s requests.
Christian Falk, BILD’s Head of Football, revealed that Manchester City is still actively pursuing Popovic, who had initially seemed closer to joining AC Milan. The negotiation between AC Milan and Popovic’s agents hit a roadblock, according to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato, resulting in AC Milan bowing out of contention. Although Popovic desires to join AC Milan, the club remains hesitant due to issues with the player’s representatives.
Popovic, often compared to Michu, has garnered attention as one of Europe’s most promising talents, showcasing his prowess with 20 goals in 24 games during the 2022–2023 season in the Kadetska Liga. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Napoli are identified by Falk as the remaining contenders for Popovic. Manchester City enjoys a time advantage as Popovic became a free agent after the expiration of his Partizan contract, eliminating the need for a rushed deal before the deadline.
Despite this advantage, there is a sense of urgency for Manchester City, given the competition from Napoli and Bayern Munich. The resolution of disagreements with Popovic’s representatives could potentially rekindle AC Milan’s interest, but Manchester City has the flexibility to finalize the deal without being constrained by time. The ongoing pursuit of Popovic underscores Manchester City’s commitment to securing a promising talent, navigating the complexities of negotiations and rival interest.
