AC Milan are pushing hard to try and get two of their targets across the line before the start of preseason next week, according to a report.
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This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes that Reijnders is hoping his summer vacation in Tanzania is followed by a five-year stay in Milano. He already has a ticket for Italy ready, he is just waiting for a call from Milan and the green light from AZ Alkmaar.
The aim for the player and for the Rossoneri is to get a deal done over the weekend, so Reijnders can be at the start of preseason preparations on July 10 and immediately start working with Pioli and his new team-mates.
The more the hours go by, the more confidence grows because the feeling is that the start of the new season and the closing of the deal can really fit together.
The Rossoneri have convinced the 24-year-old midfielder that their project is the best possible because it is a club that focuses on young players and they can offer him a leading role in their new midfield.
The growth of Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez and Sandro Tonali in recent years has shown Reijnders that Milan are a club where he too could reach his potential and thus he has said yes to a five-year deal at €1.7m net per season.
He has no intention of changing his mind, as demonstrated by the fact he rejected Barcelona who tested the waters in recent days. Everything plays in favour of Milan, who started slowly and are now ready to push to close over the weekend.
AZ Alkmaar rejected a first offer of €16m plus bonuses because they want €25m which is deemed too high by Milan, so it is likely that a restructured bid worth around €20m will be submitted.
What matters is that the dialogue with the Eredivisie side has intensified significantly in the last few hours, so what filters is that the white smoke will be able to arrive before training at Milanello officially gets underway.
Then for Christian Pulisic, it’s almost done too. At Casa Milan there is growing optimism on the Pulisic front after they raised their offer from the initial €14m to the current €19m and are counting on the fact the winger’s deal runs out in a year.
The parties are getting closer and the excellent relations between the two clubs helps. Chelsea continue to ask for €25m, but like with Reijnders there is real optimism he could be there at the first day of training.
