Chelsea ready to make offer to sign 24-year-old AC Milan defender: Reports

Chelsea are reportedly set to make an approach in the coming weeks for AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic as they look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The Blues have struggled defensively this season, with the club currently eight in the Premier League table. In the absence of Levi Colwill, they made a move for Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet in January but failed in their pursuit, as the Frenchman opted to join Liverpool.

According to Transfer marketChelsea have identified Pavlovic as a transfer target and are ‘poised to submit an offer’ in the coming weeks for the defender. The 24-year-old joined AC Milan from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2024 and has established himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A.

He has been a mainstay for The Rossoneri this season, having made 34 appearances for the club across all competitions. However, the report adds that AC Milan are working on extending Pavlovic’s contract until 2031, with his current deal set to expire in 2028, with the option for a further year.

Chelsea had previously been linked with Pavlovic when he was with Salzburg. It remains to be seen if the west London club can reach an agreement with AC Milan to sanction the player’s move to Stamford Bridge. Should the Blues sign the Serbia international, he would be expected to complement Colwill at centre-back.

Chelsea handed boost as two players return to training ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Colwill and Reece James are back in training ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, interim head coach Calum McFarlane have confirmed.

Colwill has not played this season after suffering an ACL injury in training before the campaign started. James, meanwhile, has been out since March with a hamstring problem.

“Reece is back in training,” said McFarlane in a press conference. “Levi is back in training. Both looking good. Little bit of a way to the game (on Monday) so we’ll see how they do day by day, but both are looking promising.

“We’re taking it day by day. Levi has had a long injury. Reece had a really good run and has been injured again. There’s a lot of games still to play, so we don’t want to push too much. Hopefully they’ll come through.”

In what was a boost for Chelsea, McFarlane said both players could feature in Monday’s game at Stamford Bridge.

“Potentially, yeah,” he said when asked whether both players could play against Forest.

With four league games remaining and an FA Cup final in sight, the Blues will hope the duo can help them secure qualification to a European competition next season.