AC Milan are keen to secure the future of midfielder Tijjani Reijnders due to interest from Manchester City and Barcelona, according to the Corriere Dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper claims that, despite the Netherlands international having a contract that runs until 2028, the Rossoneri are hoping to tie him down to a longer deal in order to ward off potential suitors.
Reijnders’s representatives are believed to be already in contact about putting pen to paper on a one-year extension with an increased salary.
If the Dutchman does decide to commit his future to Milan, you would expect that City will end their interest in the player.
Reijnders has been likened to Toni Kross
Speaking as a pundit for the BBC when the Netherlands won 3-0 against Romania in the last 16 of Euro 2024, former Wales defender Ashley Williams said:
“I think Tijjani Reijnders just controlled the game. Very Toni Kroos-like. He just controlled the ball and turned up the tempo when he wanted to.”
That’s a big compliment to make, considering Kroos’s reputation. The German is a Real Madrid legend. He has never played in England, although he did admit he was close to joining Manchester United at one point.
City being used by agents
It is likely that Pep Guardiola’s side will be in the market for a central midfielder in January or at the end of the season. Rodri is sidelined with a serious knee injury while there are reports that Kevin De Bruyne could leave when his contract expires next summer.
However, Rijnders is not expected to be at the top of their list of targets. Other players in Italy, such as Torino’s Samuele Ricci, Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella and Atalanta’s Ederson have been linked with a switch to the Etihad on a more regular basis.
Considering that Rijnders is in talks over a new contract, it does seem plausible that his representatives floated City’s name to get their client a better deal with Milan.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
