Tijjani Reijnders was coy about his impending move to Manchester City, but said playing in the Premier League would fulfill a boyhood dream.
The AC Milan midfielder is expected to complete his move to City in the coming days after agreeing personal terms with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Reijnders will join for a fee of 55million euros (£46.3m), subject to a medical and should arrive in time for the Club World Cup.
His arrival will help bolster City’s options in central midfielder, especially given the imminent departure of Kevin De Bruyne who is expected to join Napoli this summer.
The 26-year-old, however, was keen to keep his cards close to his chest when asked about the move but hinted a move to the Premier League would excite him.
‘The clubs are still in talks. For me, it’s a waiting game now,’ Reijnders told Voetbal Internatioanl whilst on international duty with the Netherlands.
‘I myself have been involved very little. My father does that. The Premier League is of course a great competition, that’s what you dream of as a little boy.’
And while Reijnders may not have spoken to Guardiola yet, the midfielder has had conversations with international teammate and City defender Nathan Ake.
‘I haven’t had any contact with Guardiola yet, that’s not on the agenda yet,’ he added.
‘Here at Oranje I’ve already talked to him briefly about it. He would like it if I came that way. But it’s not that far yet.’
City have been active in the early days of the transfer market as they look to evolve their squad following a disappointing campaign on all fronts.
The club are keen to secure a deal for Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, although they could face late competition from Liverpool for the Frenchman’s signature.
In defence, City are also confident of agreeing a deal with Wolves for attacking full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri who could cost as much as £50m.
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Neighbours have paid tribute to a Bollywood film worker and his ‘beautiful’ partner who died at their west London home after allegedly taking a mystery green pill.
The couple, who have been named locally as Gagan Brar and Kamaldeep Kaur, were found unresponsive in their bedroom by their flatmates at their flat in Havelock Road, Southall, on bank holiday Monday.
Ambulances and police were called to the scene but they were unable to save them.
The pills were obtained while the couple were out clubbing in south London the day before, police believe.
Metro can reveal that the 28-year-old Gagan was a driver for celebrities in the Bollywood film industry in London and is originally from India.
He and his partner Kamaldeep, 20, were described as a ‘beautiful hard working couple’ by locals.
A father of three, who is a neighbour at the Southall flats where the couple rented, told Metro: ‘To me they were a clean-cut, hardworking couple who left early in the morning and were ambitious. They were a pleasure to be around.
‘He worked in the Indian film industry as part of the crew and was working his way up. He was from a good family and they couple had their whole lives ahead of them.
‘It’s a total shock – if something like this can happen to them it can happen to anyone. They were the perfect couple just enjoying life.’
He added: ‘It was horrific on the day they were found. I think they had been out with the flatmates the night before. They wondered why the couple had it got up the next day originally thinking they were just having a lay in. Then one went in their bedroom and found them.
‘The flatmates were in total shock. Loads of police ambulances came. One of the flatmates was vomiting, it was just terrible.
‘People need to be aware of what they are taking. I can say honestly this was not a hard-drinking, drug-taking couple. They were just enjoying London life and trying to get ahead.’
Another neighbour told Metro the cricket-loving couple were ‘just the nicest people you could meet’.
He said: ‘The guy drove Bollywood celebrities around and was on the crew, he had a bright future ahead of him. His partner was a beautiful, hard-working person.
‘We used to meet up with them in the garden. We watched some of the cricket World Cup together. They were great company and lived with three good friends. They were just great people. His parents came to stay at one point. Very nice people – they will be devastated.’
A Met Police statement said: ‘Police continue to make enquiries following the sudden deaths of a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman in Ealing on Monday.
‘This is following reports that the individuals allegedly passed away after taking an illicit substance in the form of a green pill.
‘No arrests have been made at this time and we’re working closely with our partners, including the health service and councils, to issue advice to people in the area.’
Ealing Council have also raised the alarm over the mystery pills circulating.
It said : ‘Over the Bank Holiday weekend, two people were found dead in Southall, following attendance at a nightclub in South London on Saturday 24 May. They are thought to have consumed green pills with an ’80’ on one face and possibly an ‘OP’ on the other.
‘Please remember, there is no way of knowing what is in any pill or drug that is bought illegally, or how your body will react.
‘If you, or anyone you are with, starts to feel unwell after taking any pill or drug, go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department or call 999.
Authorities urge anyone in possession of unknown pills or powders to avoid taking them and to seek advice from harm reduction services.
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