AC Milan Plot €15m Swoop for Almería Right-Back Marc Pubill

AC Milan have identified Marc Pubill as their preferred solution at right-back and opened talks with Almería over a deal that could reach €15 million.

AC Milan search intensifies as Pubill tops the shortlist

AC Milan are scouring the European market for a modern, attack-minded right-back who can immediately compete with Davide Calabria next season. Technical director Geoffrey Moncada has zeroed in on 22-year-old Spanish talent Marc Pubill after exhaustive scouting reports highlighted his mix of physical power, ball-carrying and progressive passing. The Rossoneri believe the former Levante academy graduate is ready to make the jump after an impressive breakthrough year in La Liga, despite Almería’s relegation battle.

Barcelona complicate AC Milan’s transfer plan

While Milan negotiate with Almería, Barcelona have quietly entered the frame. Sporting director Deco views Pubill as a cost-effective depth option behind João Cancelo, yet Barça’s delicate finances rule out a permanent purchase this summer. Instead, the Catalan giants have sounded out a creative arrangement: sign Pubill now and immediately loan him to Real Betis, where playing time is guaranteed and the player can remain in Spain’s top flight. Milan fear that the allure of staying in La Liga — and perhaps a childhood dream of wearing the Blaugrana shirt — could sway the defender.

Why Stefano Pioli wants a new right-back

Stefano Pioli has trusted Calabria in big matches, but the captain’s recent muscle injuries have exposed Milan’s lack of reliable cover on the flank. Alessandro Florenzi, turning 33 this year, is valued as an experienced squad member rather than a long-term starter. Pubill’s 1.90 m frame, explosive acceleration and crossing accuracy suit Pioli’s asymmetric 4-2-3-1, where the left-back often tucks inside and the right-back is urged to surge forward. According to Wyscout, Pubill averaged 4.6 progressive carries and 1.5 key passes per 90 minutes last season — metrics Milan’s analytics department place in the 80th percentile among Serie A full-backs.

AC Milan’s financial proposal and Almería’s stance

Almería, relegated on the final matchday, must cut their wage bill and accept that star prospects will depart. Club sources in Spain confirm a €12 million fixed fee plus €3 million in achievable bonuses would meet the board’s expectations. Milan prefer spreading payments over three years, with Almería also inserting a 10 percent sell-on clause. The Rossoneri’s internal budget earmarks around €40 million for defensive reinforcements, allowing them to move swiftly if they sense Barcelona edging closer.

The player’s view: Olympic spotlight boosts his stock

Pubill enhanced his reputation during Spain’s victorious run at the UEFA Under-21 Championship and is expected to board the plane to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Sources close to the player say he is “open to an Italian adventure” but wants assurances of meaningful minutes to avoid stalling his international career. Milan can point to Pierre Kalulu’s rapid development, but Barça can dangle the allure of La Masia-level coaching and a future at Camp Nou. Negotiations will likely hinge on personal terms; Milan are willing to treble his current €350,000 salary to around €1 million net per season.

AC Milan transfer history with Spanish clubs

The Rossoneri have a track record of profitable business in Spain. Theo Hernández arrived from Real Madrid for €22 million and became a Serie A sensation, while Brahim Díaz enjoyed three productive loan spells. This precedent reassures Pubill’s camp that Milan offer a competitive environment tailored to young Iberian talents. Directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara may have left, but their successor Moncada retains the same scouting network that first flagged Hernández and Díaz.

Barcelona’s loan-to-sell model explained

Barcelona’s financial fair-play constraints force them to seek creative deals. By signing Pubill and dispatching him to Betis for a low-cost loan, the Catalans would defer most of the salary burden while the player matures. Betis, in turn, would cover a portion of his wages and hold no purchase option, ensuring the asset returns to Barca with a higher market value. Milan view such multi-club manoeuvres as a disadvantage: Pubill would remain outside their reach until at least 2025, by which time his price could double.

What happens next in the AC Milan-Pubill saga?

• Milan representatives met Almería executives in Madrid this week and tabled an initial verbal offer.
• Almería have given Milan 10 days to formalise a written bid or risk losing priority.
• Barça are expected to decide on Pubill only after finalising João Cancelo’s future with Manchester City.
• Pubill’s agent flies to Milanello on Monday to tour the training facilities and discuss Pioli’s tactical blueprint.

Tactical analysis: How Pubill fits Milan’s system

Pioli’s right-back is tasked with high-octane overlapping and inverted runs into central midfield. Pubill’s stamina allows him to sprint the length of the pitch repeatedly, while his 67 percent dribble success rate surpasses many Serie A peers. Defensively, he averaged 2.3 interceptions per 90, showcasing positional awareness often missing in young full-backs. Milan hope that under the tutelage of assistant coach Daniele Bonera, the Spaniard can refine his timing in the press and aerial duels.

Potential domino effect on Milan’s summer window

Should the Rossoneri land Pubill, resources earmarked for another right-back would shift toward a central striker. Conversely, missing out could push Milan to pursue Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori or Villarreal’s Juan Foyth. The board’s determination to avoid last-minute panic buys means a decision on Pubill is likely before pre-season starts on 10 July.

AC Milan must act decisively amid rising competition

With Newcastle United reportedly monitoring the situation and Atlético Madrid tracking the player since January, Milan recognise that a slow approach could see them outbid. The Rossoneri hierarchy, buoyed by Champions League revenue and fresh investment from RedBird Capital, believe they can match any financial package short of Premier League extravagance. Their strategy hinges on presenting Pubill as an integral part of a young core featuring Rafael Leão, Tijjani Reijnders and Malick Thiaw.

Short-term impact and long-term vision

If the transfer materialises, Milan fans can expect Pubill to share starts with Calabria early on before cementing the position. Over the next five years, the club hopes to turn him into a €40 million asset, replicating the appreciation seen with Theo Hernández. Performance data analysts inside Casa Milan project that a marginal 0.15 expected-goal (xG) contribution per match from right-back could translate into five additional points across a Serie A season — often the difference between first and third place.

Opinion: a bold yet calculated gamble

From a sporting perspective, investing €15 million in a 22-year-old with clear upside and resale value aligns perfectly with Milan’s recruitment model. The main risk is competition from Barcelona, whose emotional pull on Spanish players remains powerful. If Milan move swiftly and provide a transparent development plan, Pubill could become the latest success story in the Rossoneri’s Iberian scouting pipeline.