Nathan Ake reacts to Tijjani Reijnders’ ‘special’ message amid Man City links
Tijjani Reijnders’ message caught the attention of Nathan Ake as rumours continue to link the midfielder with a move to Man City this summer.
The 26-year-old has been a shining light for AC Milan this season, boasting 16 goals and four assists in 55 total appearances, but the Serie A giants have missed out on European football for the next campaign.
With the summer transfer window now approaching, Football Insider understands that Man City are closing in on a record-breaking deal for Reijnders, dwarfing Milan’s previous record sale.
While Reijnders is often utilised as a defensive midfielder, his goal contributions for club and country suggest he is capable of playing much further forward, making him the perfect signing for Pep Guardiola.
Tijjani Reijnders addresses AC Milan faithful amid Man City links
Taking to Instagram (25 May), Reijnders wrote: “That’s a wrap on 24/25. Special moment with my boy,” sharing images from AC Milan’s 2-0 win over Monza on Saturday, 24 May.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, Arsenal‘s Declan Rice, and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez all liked the post, but it was Ake’s like which stood out the most amid links with a move to the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola to eye new stars after Florian Wirtz blow
Football Insider verdict
Man City are coming to terms with the exit of Kevin De Bruyne, who fans were able to celebrate following the 3-1 win over Bournemouth, but it is almost impossible to replace the Belgian.
Phil Foden’s form has done very little to comfort the fans ahead of next season, and now the Citizens are set to miss out on the signature of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
Football Insider understands that Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Wirtz worth up to £125m despite the 22-year-old previously expressing his openness to joining Bayern Munich this summer.
Jack Grealish, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Ederson are linked with exits, likely making for a rather expensive transfer window, only adding to winter deals for Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez, and Abdukodir Khusanov.
A record-breaking deal for Reijnders would certainly make a statement to the rest of the league ahead of next season, and his stats with AC Milan would help alleviate the blow of De Bruyne’s emotional departure.