Milan prioritize new contracts for Pulisic, Rabiot and Pavlovic as Cardinale returns
Quick summary
AC Milan are working on contract extensions for Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Strahinja Pavlovic, with club ownership figure Cardinale returning to take a more active role in the project.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceGerry Cardinale will outline a strategy with Milan directors as the Rossoneri prepare for contract extension talks with Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Strahinja Pavlovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan are prepared to offer new contracts to three of their key players: Pulisic, Rabiot and Pavlovic.
Milan ready to resume talks over Pulisic, Rabiot and Pavlovic contract extensions ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan runs with the ball under pressure from Jamil Siebert of U.S. Lecce during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 20, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Cardinale will discuss a strategy with the club’s directors before meeting with the players’ representatives next week.
Cardinale will return to Milanello tomorrow after spending the last few weeks overseas. He’ll be at the Mapei Stadium for Sassuolo-Milan on Sunday and, while in Italy, he’ll also continue searching for a new Head of Football.
READ MORE: Ex-Juventus defender Benatia among candidates for Milan Head of Football role Pulisic’s contract expires at the end of the season, and even if Milan have an option to extend until 2028, the Rossoneri want to reach an agreement on a new deal, possibly before the end of January, given the solid bond with the USMNT captain.
TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Gerry Cardinale, President of AC Milan, looks on before the Serie A match between Torino FC and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on August 23, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Pavlovic’s contract expires in 2028 and Milan also have an option to extend for a further season. According to Gazzetta, the Serbian defender has attracted interest from Premier League clubs and Milan are ready to discuss a potential pay rise.
Rabiot has also been a key player under both Massimiliano Allegri and Ruben Amorim, so Milan also want to offer him an improved salary, as his deal expires in 2028.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, October 9, 2026, page 3.
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What happened
AC Milan are shifting their focus to securing the long-term futures of three key first-team players: Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Strahinja Pavlovic. All three have reportedly attracted interest from elsewhere, prompting the club to open renewal talks. The renewed contract push comes as Gerry Cardinale re-engages with the club's strategic direction, signalling a desire to stabilise the squad and protect core assets. Pulisic has been a standout performer, Rabiot was a high-profile summer addition, and Pavlovic has established himself as a regular in central defence.
Chance analysis
Milan's decision to lock down Pulisic, Rabiot and Pavlovic reflects a clear shift toward squad stability after a turbulent period. Pulisic's form has made him one of the most valuable assets in Serie A, while Rabiot's free-agent arrival gave Milan a midfield presence they were missing. Extending Pavlovic underlines the club's intent to build around a young defensive core. With Cardinale back at the helm of decisions, the message is that Milan want to compete on retention, not just recruitment — a meaningful statement ahead of a critical stretch of the season.
Milan reinforcing key players on improved terms boosts squad stability and signals ambition, marginally improving team cohesion for upcoming fixtures.