Barcelona’s pursuit of AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders faces hurdles as the player’s father confirms ongoing contract talks with Milan, potentially securing his future at the club. Meanwhile, Barcelona star Jules Koundé has come to the defense of former manager Xavi, asserting that Xavi “does not need to prove anything” despite recent criticism of his time at the helm.
Father of Barca Target Confirms Contract Talks Ongoing
Barcelona’s pursuit of AC Milan’s standout midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders, seems to be fading as the player is in discussions with his club about a contract extension.
At 26, Reijnders has been a key player this season, playing a vital role in Milan’s success.
His impressive performances have rekindled Barcelona’s interest in a player they eyed in the summer of 2023. However, with a contract renewal on the horizon, it now seems unlikely that Barcelona will land him.
Discussions with Milan
AC Milan highly rates Reijnders and is said to be working on a contract extension that would secure his future at the club.
His current contract runs until 2028, but Milan is eager to extend it for another two years, potentially keeping him until 2030, along with a pay raise to match his increasing value to the team.
For Barcelona, this news makes a move for Reijnders seem even more unlikely. With their current focus on other positions and financial constraints, they are unlikely to allocate the necessary funds to match Milan’s offer.
Reijnders has remained outstanding in recent matches, especially in the Champions League. His pivotal performances included scoring twice and being named Man of the Match in Milan’s recent win over Club Brugge.
His father, Martin Reijnders, recently spoke about his son’s accomplishments and suggested that talks with Milan are ongoing, indicating that Tijjani’s future may lie in Italy.
“What a week for Tijjani! An unjustified red card against Udinese,” he began by saying as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“Yesterday Man of the Match with two goals against Club Brugge, and as icing on the cake we are in negotiations with Milan for a new contract! That’s how fast things can go in football,” he added.
Barcelona, on the other hand, already has a packed midfield with skilled players, making it hard to justify a move for Reijnders, particularly with other more urgent priorities.
Although Barcelona showed interest in the Dutch midfielder, it now appears their pursuit has come to an end. With Reijnders set to stay at Milan, Barcelona will likely have to turn their attention elsewhere to bolster their squad.
‘Should not be blamed’ – Barcelona star defends Xavi
Barcelona’s Jules Koundé has stepped forward this weekend to express his support for former manager Xavi Hernández.
This comes amid continued criticism of the Spanish coach, following the impressive form Barcelona has enjoyed since his departure.
Barcelona is currently enjoying a remarkable start to the new season.
Under the direction of Hansi Flick, the new coach, Barcelona have appeared rejuvenated, securing wins in all but two of their 14 matches across all competitions so far.
Moreover, they’ve been scoring freely, with players like Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski thriving in Flick’s attacking system.
While one manager is being praised, the other has faced ongoing criticism recently…
Following a disappointing 2023/24 season in Barcelona, questions have arisen about why Xavi couldn’t inspire the same level of performance from the club’s key players.
One Barcelona player who believes the Spaniard shouldn’t be blamed is, as mentioned, Jules Koundé.
In an interview with La Vanguardia this weekend, defender Koundé strongly defended his former manager, insisting that Xavi “does not need to prove anything.”
“We should not forget what we achieved with Xavi. We must not underestimate the value of the League and the Super Cup we achieved. In many moments during these two years, we performed well and played entertainingly, and the fans enjoyed themselves.
“We may have done good things and others less under Xavi, but he always tried his best. He does not need to prove anything because Barcelona is the club of his life, so Xavi should not be blamed for anything.”
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