AC Milan has scored a significant victory in the transfer market, securing the signing of Serbian wonderkid Matija Popovic, dealing a blow to Manchester City‘s aspirations. The 18-year-old prodigy, who recently turned 18, left Partizan Belgrade at the expiration of his contract, making him a sought-after free agent in the football market.
Popovic’s impressive performances for Partizan’s under-17 side did not go unnoticed, particularly catching the attention of City scouts and their recruitment team at the Etihad Stadium. The German-born talent exhibited his prowess by tallying 21 goals and five assists in 25 league appearances for Partizan’s youth team. Additionally, Popovic made a mark on the international stage, earning ten caps for Serbia’s Under-17 side and providing four assists.
Standing at an imposing height of almost 6ft 4in, Popovic boasts versatility, capable of playing on the wing, in attacking midfield, or leading the line – a factor that added to his allure for top European clubs.
Despite City’s efforts to secure the teenager with a tempting five-year contract offer, Popovic has chosen to don the colors of AC Milan, aligning himself with a club renowned for nurturing talents like Matteo Gabbia, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria, and Manuel Locatelli in recent years. Stefano Pioli’s side currently sits third in Serie A, demonstrating their prowess on the domestic front and securing a spot in the upcoming Europa League knockout play-off round.
The transfer setback for Manchester City comes amid the ongoing success of their academy, which has produced notable talents like Rico Lewis and Phil Foden for Pep Guardiola’s first team. While the disappointment of losing out on Popovic lingers, the competitive landscape between AC Milan and Manchester City in the talent acquisition arena adds another layer of intrigue to the evolving football narrative.
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