GdS: Milan ‘annoyed’ by ‘arm wrestling’ over Reijnders – the current situation

AC Milan and AZ Alkmaar appear to be no closer to reaching an agreement over a transfer fee for Tijjani Reijnders, according to a report.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Reijnders is becoming quite impatient about the situation as he continues to train alone and is waiting for instructions from his agent regarding the next moves.

Milan will leave for their tour of the United States on another Friday – in seven days therefore – and Reijnders absolutely wants to be on that plane. Pioli also wants him, as he imagines the Dutchman at the centre of his team for next season.

Milan raised their offer three days ago to over €20m including bonuses. AZ in the last few hours have made it clear that they would accept a bit less than the €25m requested at the beginning of the negotiations, but the distance remains.

Milan are ‘annoyed’ by the ‘arm wrestling’ that ensued. All the parties involved want the same thing: to close this negotiation. AZ has set the amount to sell, Reijnders has chosen Milan, Milan have chosen Reijnders. On paper, it’s all there.

However, the last steps are needed and nobody wants to take them at the moment. Reijnders could give up some salary to facilitate the negotiation, as De Ketelaere did a year ago, but the impression is that now it’s up to the Eredivisie club to take a substantial step.

It will be important that they do so in the next week, before the Rossoneri depart for the United States. Pioli believes that Reijnders can play as a No.6 in the 4-3-3 formation or with another midfielder in a double pivot, and he wants to test that in the friendlies against Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona.