Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders are two of a few players who did their bit for AC Milan this season, and now the club want to lock them down.
First of all, it’s a question of numbers: Pulisic and Reijnders are the two top scorers for Milan in 2024-25, with 17 and 15 goals respectively in all competitions. Football isn’t just about numbers, but those of the two have not gone unnoticed around Europe.
It’s no coincidence that Milan had worked to renew both in unsuspecting times, also to put themselves in a position of strength in the event of offers from other clubs, aiming to secure leverage above all.
Now that the pitch has certified the Rossoneri’s failure to participate in European competitions in 2025-26 – and consequently keeping stars will be a little more complicated – the management continue to plan for the future starting from the American and the Dutchman.
Leandro Trossard of Arsenal
Protecting Pulisic
Reijnders has already signed his new contract until 2030, while for Pulisic – who if he plays on Saturday will reach 100 appearances for the Rossoneri – we are still in the negotiation phase.
Contacts with the American’s entourage are frequent: in recent months a draft agreement was prepared for the extension until 2029 (the current contract expires in 2027, with an option in favor of the club for a further year), but no signatures have arrived yet.
This is despite the proposal to increase the salary from €4m to €5m net per year. However, there are no doubts about the ending of the story: the former Chelsea player is doing wonderfully in Milan and the management respect him for his behaviour on and off the pitch.
This is why the intention of the directors is to relaunch in the coming weeks with a proposal for the extension until 2030, in line with what was done for Reijnders.
Reijnders resistance
The Dutchman, it’s no secret, is being courted by Manchester City and, in particular, by Pep Guardiola, who has put him among the first names on the list of possible reinforcements for the new season.
At the Rossoneri headquarters, however, they have not received any official offer at the moment. Will it arrive soon? Maybe, but it is unlikely to be close to the €70m of the minimum request to sit at the negotiating table.
As mentioned, Tijjani recently renewed until 2030, he loves Milan and the super season has at least tripled his valuation (he cost €20m to sign from AZ Alkmaar in 2023). This is why there is no talk of him being sold now.
The sales record for a Milan player at the moment belongs to Ricky Kakà, who in the summer of 2009 took the road to Real Madrid for €67m. Two summers ago, however, Tonali moved to Newcastle for €59m plus bonuses.
la gazzetta dello sport 20 may
Mike, Theo and Rafa
The thorniest cases – limiting ourselves to the big names in the squad – concern two Frenchmen, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez, both of whom are expiring in 2026.
The goalkeeper had reached an agreement for an extension with an increase in salary, but the ups and downs of recent months have convinced the management to slow down before ratifying everything.
‘Magic Mike’ – who has worn the armband for months now – did not particularly appreciate it and, despite glossing over the issue in public, is waiting for the end of the season to talk again. How will it end? It is difficult to say at present.
Theo’s situation is also complex: the renewal would now only be possible at a lower rate than the €4.5m net of his current salary. And if Hernandez does not agree? There are two options: a sale in the summer – but at the moment there are no real offers – or to stay for his final year and leave for free.
No real offers have arrived even for Rafa Leao, who however has a longer contract, until 2028. Speaking of deadlines, Milan has found an agreement to extend the contracts of the youngsters Lorenzo Torriani and Davide Bartesaghi until 2030.
Leave a Reply