AC Milan feel optimistic that they will get the signing of Tijjani Reijnders over the line after their latest raised offer, according to a report.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes that Stefano Pioli likes Reijnders because he has technique, he travels with the ball and he has a knack for scoring goals, as his 13 in the last two seasons show.
Pioli made it clear two days ago that he would like reinforcements quickly, possibly before the USA tour which will begin in nine days. The first should be Reijnders, who has an Indonesian mother and a Dutch father.
The growth of the 24-year-old was vertical last season as he became a starter at AZ Alkmaar and he stood out with four goals in the Europa League, getting a call-up to the Dutch national team too.
Milan made a first offer for Reijnders last week but AZ made it clear they want €25m and will not be revising that downwards. In many ways this is typical of the Dutch market: hard bargaining, no discounts.
The Rossoneri thought about it for a few days, a little taken aback, but yesterday they went back in with a new bid worth €25m. Of that, €20m is fixed and €5m are bonuses.
The two clubs are now ‘close, very close’ to an agreement. As of yesterday evening, a response from the Netherlands had not yet arrived but Milan can be optimistic.
Milan want to close, while Reijnders above all is determined to join, even having said no to Barcelona. He has already reached an agreement with the Diavolo over a five-year deal worth €1.7m net per season.
With an offer worth €25m and a contract worth €8.5m ready for the player, the management believe they are closing in on an operation worth €33.5m.
