Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders are two of a few players who did their bit for AC Milan this season, and now the club want to lock them down.
First of all, it’s a question of numbers: Pulisic and Reijnders are the two top scorers for Milan in 2024-25, with 17 and 15 goals respectively in all competitions. Football isn’t just about numbers, but those of the two have not gone unnoticed around Europe.
It’s no coincidence that Milan had worked to renew both in unsuspecting times, also to put themselves in a position of strength in the event of offers from other clubs, aiming to secure leverage above all.
Now that the pitch has certified the Rossoneri’s failure to participate in European competitions in 2025-26 – and consequently keeping stars will be a little more complicated – the management continue to plan for the future starting from the American and the Dutchman.
Protecting Pulisic
Reijnders has already signed his new contract until 2030, while for Pulisic – who if he plays on Saturday will reach 100 appearances for the Rossoneri – we are still in the negotiation phase.
Contacts with the American’s entourage are frequent: in recent months a draft agreement was prepared for the extension until 2029 (the current contract expires in 2027, with an option in favor of the club for a further year), but no signatures have arrived yet.
This is despite the proposal to increase the salary from €4m to €5m net per year. However, there are no doubts about the ending of the story: the former Chelsea player is doing wonderfully in Milan and the management respect him for his behaviour on and off the pitch.
This is why the intention of the directors is to relaunch in the coming weeks with a proposal for the extension until 2030, in line with what was done for Reijnders.
Reijnders resistance
The Dutchman, it’s no secret, is being courted by Manchester City and, in particular, by Pep Guardiola, who has put him among the first names on the list of possible reinforcements for the new season.
At the Rossoneri headquarters, however, they have not received any official offer at the moment. Will it arrive soon? Maybe, but it is unlikely to be close to the €70m of the minimum request to sit at the negotiating table.
As mentioned, Tijjani recently renewed until 2030, he loves Milan and the super season has at least tripled his valuation (he cost €20m to sign from AZ Alkmaar in 2023). This is why there is no talk of him being sold now.
The sales record for a Milan player at the moment belongs to Ricky Kakà, who in the summer of 2009 took the road to Real Madrid for €67m. Two summers ago, however, Tonali moved to Newcastle for €59m plus bonuses.
Mike, Theo and Rafa
The thorniest cases – limiting ourselves to the big names in the squad – concern two Frenchmen, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez, both of whom are expiring in 2026.
The goalkeeper had reached an agreement for an extension with an increase in salary, but the ups and downs of recent months have convinced the management to slow down before ratifying everything.
‘Magic Mike’ – who has worn the armband for months now – did not particularly appreciate it and, despite glossing over the issue in public, is waiting for the end of the season to talk again. How will it end? It is difficult to say at present.
Theo’s situation is also complex: the renewal would now only be possible at a lower rate than the €4.5m net of his current salary. And if Hernandez does not agree? There are two options: a sale in the summer – but at the moment there are no real offers – or to stay for his final year and leave for free.
No real offers have arrived even for Rafa Leao, who however has a longer contract, until 2028. Speaking of deadlines, Milan has found an agreement to extend the contracts of the youngsters Lorenzo Torriani and Davide Bartesaghi until 2030.
While the management have been clueless the whole season and still haven’t figured out about getting a SD. There other clubs around Europe who are building for next season, heck, even Roma is rumoured to get Klopp
Simple:
Get a sporting director (a good one please). Give him autonomy and control.
Get an ambitious coach, preferably one who won titles and is used to fight for top spots.
Set a sporting project (win the scudetto in X years, play for UCL in Y years,…).
Get good players
Do all of that and you’ll be able to maintain your best players.
You do realize that our management is unable to complete any of the tasks you gave ’em?
You should start with something way simpler like garbage goes into the trashcan. And no, I’m not talking metaphorically about Emerson Royal this time.
Neither fund is interested in a project. They want a polish-up job to offload it to the next buyer.
That’s why you’re seeing names like Tare/Sarri pop back into contention.
Milan need to send a signal by bringing in the SD and a decent coach. Then focus on moving along the deadwood whilst focusing on strengthening 3 critical areas…striker, holding midfielder and a CB. Promote a few of the youngsters to the 1st team in areas that need rotation players and give them the necessary experience in some games. No need for a radical make over. Renew contracts where possible and move on from those that have other ideas. Use next season to consolidate and build slowly from there onwards.
Tijj loves Milan? A midtable-team with management occupied by imbeciles? I can see the love evaporating in 1-2 weeks after the Monza defeat.
Best midfielder in the world went missing in the 2 cup finals we played this season by the way (again GOOD player but not WORLD CLASS). We should still mug man city for that 80M. Jack grealish went for 100M we will not let him go for offer below 80 – 70 but man city are not stupid and will probably call our bluff and we will sell him for 50M including bonuses. Without bonuses if we are lucky.
Reijnders is a fantastic player. He’s also not a leader and will not carry this team. Does not make him not World Class.
He is a vital cog in any functional team. As is Puli. The smart thing to do would be to build around the two of them.
Our managers are anything but.
My intention is Sergio Consesaio . He is best coach for Milan . The Milan mgt should have decided Sergio for staying at Milan next year . He show us that his potential so that Milan give him additional year for Milan fans . No sarri no allegri no conte no dezebra or no new coach for milan only Sergio Concesao .
no serigo needs to and will go