AC Milan are on the brink of completing their summer-long pursuit of AZ Alkmaar ace Tijjani Reijnders, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Despite seeing their two initial approaches for the 24-year-old knocked back by the Eredivisie outfit, the Italians have never considered stopping their quest to sign the versatile midfielder.
Their persistence has paid off as AZ, pressured by the player’s wish to continue his career at the San Siro, have accepted their €20 million plus add-ons bid.
It has taken Milan a while to reach the €20m threshold, as they had hoped to close the deal on more favourable terms before encountering the Dutch club’s firm resilience.
With a verbal agreement in place, it’s now only a matter of time before the Dutchman becomes the Rossoneri’s fourth summer signing after Marco Sporitello, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic.
Milan boss Stefano Pioli has earmarked Reijnders as a perfect replacement for Sandro Tonali, whose departure for Newcastle United earlier in the summer left the Serie A titans exposed in the engine room.
Loftus-Cheek’s arrival from Chelsea was never intended to fill that void, with Pioli reportedly looking to deploy the homegrown Stamford Bridge star in a more advanced position.
While Milan see the 27-year-old as Brahim Diaz’s successor in the No 10 role, Reijnders should take over Tonali’s role as a midfield anchor in Pioli’s new-look set-up.
Reijnders, who came through the ranks at PEC Zwolle before joining AZ in 2018, reportedly rebuffed Barcelona’s attempt to hijack his move to Serie A in the hope of linking up with the Rossoneri.
His will has eventually made the difference.
If everything goes according to plan, Reijnders should soon become a new Milan player, which could set free the club’s expensive flop Charles De Ketelaere.
Aston Villa have recently displayed interest in the 22-year-old playmaker, who endured a miserable first season at the San Siro, mustering only one assist from 40 appearances in all competitions.
