Reijnders sends 'clear signal' to Man City amid De Bruyne uncertainty

Imre Himmelbauer

Updated: 25 Feb 2025 10:02 GMT
3 min read

Tijjani Reijnders, Rafael Leão, AC Milan — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Tijjani Reijnders and AC Milan have reached a full agreement on a contract extension.

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The 26-year-old midfielder is currently contracted until 2028 but will extend his contract until 2030, according to De Telegraaf. AC Milan's lawyers must now complete all the paperwork. The official signing date is pencilled in for early March.

Milan initially took their time with an extension because Reijnders still had more than three years to run on his deal. However, his inspired form this term convinced the Rossoneri to sit down and negotiate with his father Martin.

"After Reijnders junior was able to produce even better statistics in his second - the current - season (38 matches, 12 goals, three assists), AC Milan increasingly sought a quick agreement. That was found last week," journalist Mike Verweij explains.

Reijnders sends message to suitors

Club and player have had several conversations, exchanged many e-mails and eventually Reijnders senior shook hands with sporting director Antonio D'Ottavio and technical director Geoffrey Moncada.

The new contract makes the playmaker one of the biggest earners at the San Siro. The 20-time Netherlands international is invaluable this season and with 12 goals he is, together with Christian Pulisic, the most prolific player at the club.

The new contract is also a 'clear signal' to 'an army' of clubs interested in Reijnders. Of those clubs, Manchester City and FC Barcelona have already made their interest known, it is claimed.

The links with Man City are interesting in light of the fact that they have yet to open talks with Kevin de Bruyne over a new deal. Indeed, Fabrizio Romano expects the Belgian to leave the club at the end of the season.

Reijnders reportedly has no release clause in his new contract, which means Milan can ask for whatever they want if an interested club comes knocking for a transfer.

Despite Reijnders' good performances, Milan are not doing so well in terms of sporting performance this season. After 25 matches, the club has 41 points in Serie A, only enough for 7th place.

In the Champions League, the Milanese were eliminated in the round of 16 by Feyenoord last week. The Rotterdammers won 1-0 at home and drew 1-1 in San Siro.