After playing a major role in Lanús’ Primera title earlier this year, Gustavo Gómez finally looks to have sealed the european transfer that his performances warranted, with AC Milan narrowing in on an $8 million move.

The fee has reportedly been agreed and now the 23-year-old Paraguayan international is set to travel to Italy in order to finalise the deal.

In signing Gómez, Milan will have fought off interest from Lazio, Fiorentina and Valencia after deciding that their first choice Mateo Musacchio was out of their price range and no agreement could be reached with Villarreal.

The former Libertad youngster was perhaps the standout central defender in Argentina last term and was named in our team of the season.

A powerful, uncompromising defender Gómez has proved to be another outstanding piece of business for El Granate when dipping into the Paraguayan market.

The 23-year-old isn’t the tallest but is excellent aerially, firm in the tackle and already has plenty of experience as a full international.

However, Gómez is not the most comfortable on the ball and so pairing the Paraguayan with a ball playing defender who can initiate attacks would be advisable.

Certainly after the 2016 Transición the natural progression for Gómez is to test himself in Europe so when it began to look as though it would be Boca Juniors that won the race for his signature and not a european club, the proposed move felt like a sideways step.

The Guaraní defender is due to undergo a medical tomorrow and sign a five-year deal with Milan which will come as a significant but expected blow to Jorge Almirón and Lanús.

How Gómez develops in Italy will be of great interest.