Tijjani Reijnders is perfectly placed to lead the £ 130 million from Manchester City in the £ 130 million.
The versatile midfielder stacked the boards in Aldi, but is now the first signing of a huge summer for Pep Guardiola.
Reijnders, 26, Kevin De Bruyne is idolizing and will now be given the task of filling the gaping void that has been left behind by the Belgian superstar.
When Dutch international came to Milan, he was asked about his rise to the top and said: “I recently noticed an article” From amateur to AC Milan. “
“But when I think about it, I like it” From Aldi to AC Milan “even better!”
Aldi to Manchester City will have an even better ring for Guardiola's new midfield general.
It is quite a challenge for the midfielder, although he arrives with some stellar references.
Milan and the Netherlands Great Frank Rijkaard is convinced that Reijnders is intended for the top.
Speaking earlier this season, he said: “I hope Reijnders will be one of the best midfielders in the world … I sincerely believe he is already on the right track.
“I really love his playing style. He can take all the roles in midfield and shows his generosity: he never loves a run for the team and always gives his best.
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“With the quality he has, he is excellent in creating dangerous opportunities for his teammates and setting up the piece well.”
Reijnders can bring a little bit of everything to a midfield of Manchester City who need a shot in the arm.
The former AZ Alkmaar –man made more interceptions this season than any other midfielder in the Serie A and created the most chances of Open Spel.
He may not have the vessel of De Bruyne when it comes to creating opportunities – there are few or none, those who do – but Reijnders can also find the back of the net.
Milan's Maestro took 15 goals from midfield – two more than any other midfielder in the Italian flight.
The road from Reijnders to the top was carefully deported, helped by his father and agent, Martin – a former player himself who was a teammate of Jaap Stam on the Dutch side Zwolle.
The family clearly planned a football career for their son from the first day, and called him Tijjani after the former Nigerian winger, Tijani Babangida.
Younger brother Eliano also plays for the former side of his father, Zwolle.
After sealing the move from Tijjani to Milan, Martin revealed that the couple had decided to reject Barcelona to become a member of the Rossoneri.
Barca was looking for an heir of Sergio Busquets and Reijnders' father made the brave and daring decision to tell his son that he was not entirely in the task.
He told the Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad: “I immediately told Tijjani:” You are not that type of player. Before you know it, you call on the couch. And you would become another player who fails abroad. “
Two years ago there was Premier League interest, but Reijnders quickly developed in Milan and now feels willing to take his biggest step so far.
In addition to carefully planning his progression, Reijnders has studied fellow players to add as much as possible to his game.
Reijnders said to the athletics: “When I got older, I looked a lot at Kevin De Bruyne. I watched his games, YouTube clips.
“Especially the way he scanned the field before he gets the ball, so that he always knows where the space is.
“I try to do the same.”
Before they were looking for elements of De Bruyne at his game, the new husband of City studied another Guardiola stand in Andres Iniesta.
There are few deals that can be sure, not every signing is as clear as Erling Haaland.
But in Reijnders, Manchester City seems to have identified a player who is able to grab a game that is ready to throw directly in a Guardiola side.