In the fast-paced world of football, transfer rumors and speculation often dominate the headlines, especially when a major club is involved. Manchester City, one of the top clubs in English football and a perennial contender for major trophies, is no stranger to being at the center of such transfer discussions. Recently, reports have surfaced that the Premier League giants are keen to sign Tijjani Reijnders, the talented Dutch midfielder currently playing for AC Milan. This news has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with many speculating about the impact of such a move and the challenges that could arise as City looks to secure Reijnders’ signature.
Tijjani Reijnders has been in sensational form for AC Milan during the 2024-2025 season, both in Serie A and on the international stage with the Netherlands. At just 26 years old, Reijnders has become one of the most highly regarded midfielders in Europe, thanks to his all-around skill set, vision, and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. His rise to prominence in Milan has not gone unnoticed, and now, it appears that Manchester City is preparing to make a move for the talented midfielder as part of their squad planning for the 2025-2026 season.
Since his move from AZ Alkmaar to AC Milan in July 2023, Reijnders has impressed both fans and pundits with his performances. In his first season at San Siro, he quickly established himself as a key player in Milan’s midfield, showcasing his vision, work rate, and technical ability. But it’s not just his passing and defensive capabilities that have stood out; Reijnders has added an impressive goal-scoring dimension to his game, a trait that has become increasingly valuable in the modern game. In the 2024-2025 season, Reijnders has already scored 14 goals across all competitions, which is a remarkable tally for a midfielder. His contribution in the final third has been crucial for Milan, and it’s clear that he has become one of the driving forces behind their success this season.
Moreover, Reijnders has made his mark on the international stage as well. He recently scored in a UEFA Nations League match against Spain, further cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising midfielders. Despite the Netherlands’ early exit from the Nations League, Reijnders’ performances were a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign. His combination of technical ability, tactical awareness, and goal-scoring threat has made him an attractive prospect for top clubs across Europe, including Manchester City.
As reports indicate, Manchester City has set its sights on Reijnders for the upcoming summer transfer window. City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, is reportedly keen to bolster his midfield options, and Reijnders fits the bill perfectly. Guardiola has long been known for his preference for technically gifted midfielders who can control the tempo of a game and contribute in both attack and defense. Reijnders, with his versatility, ability to read the game, and growing goal-scoring potential, would be a perfect fit for City’s style of play.
However, securing Reijnders’ signature is far from a straightforward task. There are a number of obstacles standing in the way of Manchester City’s pursuit of the Dutchman. First and foremost, Reijnders recently signed a new contract with AC Milan. This new deal has significantly complicated matters, as it does not include a release clause. Without a release clause, any potential suitor would need to negotiate directly with Milan for Reijnders’ services, and the Serie A giants are under no obligation to sell. The current value of Reijnders is expected to be well over £50 million, which would be a significant financial commitment for any club, including Manchester City.
Additionally, City faces the challenge of making room for Reijnders in their already packed squad. While City has one of the deepest and most talented rosters in world football, there is limited space for new signings, particularly in the midfield area. As a result, Guardiola will likely need to make some tough decisions regarding which players will stay and which will leave. This is where the potential exits of several key players come into play.
In order to bring in Reijnders, Manchester City may have to offload a few of their first-team stars. Reports suggest that as many as three key midfielders could be shown the door this summer: Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, and Bernardo Silva. All three players have been instrumental to City’s success in recent years, but they are all over the age of 30, and their form has started to show signs of decline.
Kevin De Bruyne, arguably one of the best midfielders in the world over the past decade, is now in the twilight of his career. While he remains an outstanding player and a leader on the pitch, injuries have begun to take their toll on him, and his performances have not been as consistent as in previous seasons. De Bruyne’s passing range and vision are still exceptional, but his ability to dominate games at the same level as he once did has diminished. As a result, Guardiola may look to the future and seek to replace De Bruyne with a younger, more dynamic option.
Similarly, Mateo Kovacic, who arrived from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, has had a mixed impact since joining City. While he offers a wealth of experience and versatility, his performances have not always been of the standard expected from a Manchester City player. Kovacic has struggled with consistency at times, and while he brings good defensive cover and technical ability, it’s clear that City needs more in terms of both creativity and goal-scoring from their midfielders. As a result, Kovacic could be one of the players shown the exit door in favor of a more dynamic and goal-scoring presence like Reijnders.
Bernardo Silva, another fan favorite at City, is in a similar position. Silva’s ability to drift between the lines and create chances has made him a vital part of Guardiola’s tactical setup, but his performances have also started to dip as he enters the latter stages of his career. Silva has been with City for several years and has been a key contributor, but like Kovacic and De Bruyne, he is now over 30, and City may look to bring in a younger, more energetic midfielder to complement their attacking options. Reijnders would certainly fit the profile of the type of player Guardiola needs, providing both defensive stability and the ability to contribute goals from midfield.
One of the primary reasons why Manchester City is so interested in Tijjani Reijnders is his ability to score goals from midfield. Over the years, Guardiola has built his City team around possession, pressing, and fluid attacking play. However, the one area where City has occasionally struggled is in terms of goals from midfield. While players like De Bruyne, Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan have all contributed with key goals, City has often relied heavily on their forwards, especially Erling Haaland, for goal-scoring contributions.
Haaland has been in incredible form for City, scoring goals at an astonishing rate. His presence in the box has made him the focal point of City’s attack, and he has been the team’s top scorer by a considerable margin. Haaland’s ability to find the back of the net with both feet and his head has been a key factor in City’s success. However, Guardiola is well aware of the risks of becoming too dependent on one player for goals. While Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess is undeniable, it’s crucial for City to have multiple threats in attack, particularly from midfield. Reijnders’ ability to score goals from midfield would provide City with another option and relieve some of the pressure on Haaland to score in every match.
Moreover, Reijnders’ all-around play and work ethic would make him an ideal complement to City’s midfield, allowing Guardiola to rotate his squad effectively while maintaining a high level of performance. Reijnders’ skill set, combined with his ability to score goals, would give City a more balanced and dynamic midfield that could compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions.
As Manchester City prepares for the 2025-2026 season, it is clear that they are planning for the future. While the club remains one of the most successful teams in Europe, Guardiola knows that in order to maintain that success, City must continue to evolve and adapt. The potential signing of Tijjani Reijnders would be a step in that direction, as it would inject fresh energy and creativity into an aging midfield.
City’s ability to replace aging stars like De Bruyne, Kovacic, and Silva with younger, more dynamic players will be crucial in ensuring that they remain competitive at the highest level. Reijnders represents exactly the kind of player Guardiola is looking for—someone who can contribute defensively, link up play, and score goals from midfield.
While there are still many hurdles to overcome, including negotiating with AC Milan and making space in the squad, the signing of Reijnders would be a major statement of intent for Manchester City as they look to build a team capable of dominating for years to come.
In the world of football, transfers are never simple, and there are always obstacles to overcome. However, if Manchester City can secure the services of Tijjani Reijnders, it would undoubtedly be a move that strengthens their squad and helps propel them towards further success in the years ahead.
