AC Milan midfielder sparks interest from Barcelona and Man City amid renewal delay

A recent report from SPORT suggests that AC Milan’s efforts to extend Tijjani Reijnders’ contract have hit a stumbling block, stirring rumours that Barcelona and Manchester City may have their sights set on him. 

Reijnders, who previously caught Barcelona’s eye while he played for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, ultimately chose to join Milan instead. 

His performance at Milan has been outstanding, solidifying his role as a crucial midfielder for the Italian club. 

Milan have been eager to secure his future with an improved contract, but discussions have stalled, adding fuel to the speculation surrounding potential interest from other top clubs.

Contract negotiations have stalled

It is said that Milan underscore his importance in their squad, which is why the contract negotiations aimed at not only extending his stay but also enhancing his current deal to ward off outside interest. But these attempts have yet to yield any results. 

Tijjani Reijnders is in Barcelona and Manchester City’s orbit. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With negotiations stalled, Barcelona and Manchester City have emerged as possible contenders. For City, this interest is logical given their recent loss of Rodri to a serious injury, creating a need for reinforcements in the midfield.

However, for Barcelona, the situation is less clear. Given the club’s financial limitations and the abundance of midfield talent emerging from La Masia, it is challenging to imagine Hansi Flick prioritising a move for Reijnders. 

No place in Barcelona

Barcelona has an influx of homegrown midfielders rising through the ranks, adding depth to an already crowded position. As a result, bringing in an additional midfielder would require a significant financial commitment, which the club is not in a position to take on.

Meanwhile, Reijnders is reportedly content at Milan, but he is seeking a contract offer that aligns with his market value. The current proposal does not meet his expectations, leaving the door slightly open for other clubs to express interest. 

Despite this, Barcelona’s supposed interest may be more of a rumour than a reality, as they are focused on maximising their existing resources in midfield.