Gary O’Neil may be confident that Wolves have enough quality to cope without Max Kilman but it’s fair to say not every member of the Molineux fanbase share his sense of positivity.
The former AFC Bournemouth boss stated at the end of July that the ‘excellent’ Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera were ready for a bigger role in the post-Kilman era.
Toti made great strides last term while Mosquera returns following a fine loan spell at Villarreal. Wolverhampton Wanderers also still have the vast experience of Craig Dawson, while Santi Bueno should be improve with a full season of Premier League football under his belt.
But, still, Max Kilman’s £40 million move to West Ham United leaves ‘a big hole to fill, O’Neil tells the Shropshire Star.
That interest in Serbian international Strahinja Pavlovic, meanwhile, suggests that while Wolves have remained calm in public about Kilman’s departure, in private moves are being made to secure his successor.
Wolves and Chelsea were among Strahinja Pavlovic suitors
HITC understands that Pavlovic – who impressed against England at Euro 2024 – was also on the radar of Chelsea, Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
So too Fulham, Brentford Nottingham Forest.
That was, of course, until Pavlovic sealed a dream switch from Red Bull Salzburg to AC Milan for a fee in the region of £17 million.
A move that came about after the Rossoneri’s scouting department identified him as the ideal fit for Paulo Fonseca’s back-four.
“Pavlovic was the perfect player according to our scouting team,” none other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic said during the 22-year-old’s official unveiling on Wednesday, via Milan News.
“We followed him for a while. In the end, we were all convinced.”
Legendary striker Ibrahimovic hung up his karate-kicking boots back in 2023 but soon returned to the San Siro as a senior advisor. The iconic Swede has since taken up a very public-facing role, his renowned confidence in front of the camera translating well into his media duties.
“(Pavlovic) is an aggressive left-footed player. He has the right attitude, which we want. We need a bit of nastiness and Pavlovic is right for this team,” adds Ibrahimovic.
“Fonseca likes him a lot. He is young and has a lot of room for growth. We did everything to bring him here.
“I am 200 per cent sure that he will be among the fans’ favourites. He is someone who enters every duel with his heart. Strahinja is a leader on and off the pitch.”
Kilman-less Wolves face Arsenal soon
So, that is one potential Kilman replacement down for Wolves. Links with Nico Elvedi of Borussia Monchengladbach continue to swirl.
But, as it stands, it feels likely that Dawson and one of Toti or Bueno will be tasked with keeping out an always free-scoring Arsenal on the opening weekend.
Aston Villa also liked Pavlovic and may remain in the market for a left-sided centre-back after Clement Lenglet returned to Barcelona. Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Fulham, at least, can move on after securing Lloyd Kelly, Nikola Milenkovic and Jorge Cuenca.
“When you arrive at a big club like Milan, your dreams are big,” one-time Celtic target Pavlovic tells Milan News while explaining the role Ibrahimovic played in his decision.
A colossal presence on the pitch during two spells at the San Siro, Zlatan is proving to be a pretty useful addition off it these days too.
“He was fundamental for me,” Pavlovic adds. “The more I spoke with Zlatan, the more I was convinced to come here. I understood how much they wanted me.
“I’m an aggressive player. I’m here to give 200 per cent.”
The post Ibrahimovic played big role in stopping Wolves or Chelsea signing £17m ace, he 'did everything' appeared first on HITC.
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