Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has apparently earmarked AC Milan lynchpin Tijjani Reijnders as a priority transfer target for the summer window.
The 25-year-old has hit the ground running at San Siro since joining in a £16.3m deal from AZ Alkmaar in 2023, contributing two goals and three assists from 24 Serie A matches this term.
Reijnders has started 23 of those contests, predominantly occupying a number six role but also being used in a more advanced midfield area, and he played the full 90 in five of the Rossoneri's six Champions League group-stage games.
On account of his strong form with AZ and fast start to life with Milan, Reijnders earned his first six caps for the Netherlands last year, starting three of their last four Euro 2024 qualifiers in Group B.
The 6ft 1in midfielder is not due to become a free agent until the end of the 2027-28 campaign, meaning that Milan are in a position to demand a hefty fee, but their resolve could be tested regardless.
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According to a report from FootballTransfers, Man United boss Ten Hag has taken a particular liking to his compatriot and views him as a priority target ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Red Devils are supposedly not fazed by the fact that Reijnders is yet to complete a full season in Serie A, and both his age and versatility make him an attractive prospect for Ten Hag.
However, Man United could apparently be quoted a fee of €60m (£51.4m) if they wish to bring Reijnders to Old Trafford this summer, and Paris Saint-Germain are also showing an interest in the Netherlands international.
One of Man United's three marquee signings last summer saw the Red Devils strengthen their midfield by poaching Mason Mount from Chelsea, before Sofyan Amrabat joined on loan from Fiorentina late in the window.
However, Mount has experienced an injury-hit start to life at the Theatre of Dreams, while Amrabat has struggled to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League and is not expected to earn a permanent move to the club.
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In recent weeks, talented teenager Kobbie Mainoo and ex-Real Madrid man Casemiro have cemented themselves as Ten Hag's first-choice midfield pairing, while Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay provide alternative options off the bench.
Both Eriksen and Casemiro - who were born nine days apart - will be 32 by the time the season reaches its conclusion, though, and both men could be the subject of interest from foreign clubs in the summer window.
The long-term future of McTominay remains unclear too, but Ten Hag is thought to be keen on keeping the Scotsman, who has found the back of the net eight times in all competitions this season.
However, the Red Devils boss is expected to have less control over incomings and outgoings during the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era, as the INEOS founder prepares to take charge of football operations after his 25% purchase was ratified by the FA and Premier League.
Ratcliffe is hoping to hire Newcastle United's Dan Ashworth as the club's new sporting director, and the Magpies have now confirmed that the 52-year-old has been placed on gardening leave after informing the powers-that-be of his desire to join Man United.
Ben Knapton
