For the first time since the 2016/17 season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has endured a campaign without silverware. The 2024/25 season marks just the second trophyless campaign in his illustrious managerial career, a stark reminder that even the most dominant dynasties eventually face challenges. After an unprecedented period of success that included a historic treble and four consecutive Premier League titles, City’s trophy cabinet will remain untouched this year—a reality that has undoubtedly triggered deep reflection within the club’s hierarchy.
This rare failure has coincided with what appears to be the end of an era at the Etihad Stadium. Kevin De Bruyne, arguably City’s most influential player during their golden period, is set to depart after nine transformative years at the club. The Belgian maestro’s imminent exit represents more than just the loss of a world-class talent—it symbolizes the conclusion of a defining chapter in Manchester City’s history.
While De Bruyne’s departure is the most significant, several other first-team stalwarts could also be heading for the exit door. This potential mass exodus has created a pivotal summer transfer window that may well determine whether City can rebuild effectively and return to their dominant ways or face a period of transition and potential decline.
Transfer Market: Setting the Scene
The approaching summer transfer window looms as perhaps the most consequential in Manchester City’s recent history. Director of Football Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment team face the monumental task of orchestrating a squad refresh while maintaining the club’s ability to compete at the highest level across all competitions.
In recent weeks, City have been linked with several high-profile targets, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White featuring prominently in transfer speculation. However, recent reports suggest that Wirtz—who played a central role in Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph under Xabi Alonso—will not be heading to the Etihad Stadium. The German international reportedly prefers to remain in his homeland for at least another season, with Bayern Munich appearing the most likely destination should he eventually depart.
The latest name to emerge in Manchester City’s transfer conversations is AC Milan’s dynamic midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch international has been a revelation since joining the Rossoneri, and sources close to the club suggest Guardiola has personally identified him as a priority target to rejuvenate City’s aging midfield department.
Reijnders’ journey to becoming one of Serie A’s standout performers has been somewhat unconventional. Unlike many of modern football’s stars who achieve prominence in their early twenties, the Dutchman’s rise to elite status has come slightly later, with his move to AC Milan at age 25 proving the catalyst for his emergence on the European stage.
Born in Zwolle, Netherlands, Reijnders developed through the AZ Alkmaar academy before establishing himself in their first team. His performances in the Eredivisie earned him a €19 million move to AC Milan in July 2023, where he has since flourished under the guidance of coach Paulo Fonseca.
The 2024/25 campaign has represented a spectacular breakthrough for Reijnders at the highest level. In what has been a somewhat inconsistent season for Milan collectively, the Dutchman has emerged as their most consistent performer, contributing an impressive 15 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. This remarkable output has transformed perceptions of Reijnders from a promising talent to one of Europe’s most complete midfielders.
What makes these numbers particularly impressive is that Reijnders operates primarily as a central midfielder rather than in an advanced role. His ability to contribute significantly to Milan’s attacking output while fulfilling his defensive responsibilities has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s elite box-to-box midfielders like Toni Kroos and İlkay Gündoğan.
The Statistical Case for Reijnders
When evaluating Reijnders’ performance data against his peers across Europe’s top five leagues, his exceptional quality becomes even more apparent. The midfielder ranks in the top 3% for non-penalty goals (0.29 per 90 minutes) among midfielders, an extraordinary figure for a player who isn’t deployed as an attacking midfielder or second striker.
Equally impressive is his ranking in the top 3% for progressive carries (3.11 per 90 minutes). For context, a carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area. This statistic highlights Reijnders’ ability to advance possession effectively and transition his team from defense to attack—a quality that has become increasingly valuable in modern football.
Perhaps most telling is his placement in the top 16% for touches in the attacking penalty area, indicating his knack for arriving in dangerous positions at the right moment. This spatial awareness and timing are reminiscent of Frank Lampard, whose ability to arrive late in the box made him one of the Premier League’s most prolific goal-scoring midfielders.
Beyond these headline metrics, Reijnders demonstrates impressive all-around qualities that would serve him well in Guardiola’s system:
Pass completion rate of 91.4%: This places him among the elite distributors in European football and would align perfectly with City’s possession-dominant approach.
Successful pressure percentage of 34.2%: Reflecting his effectiveness in Manchester City’s pivotal counter-pressing system.
Distance covered per 90 minutes of 11.8km: Demonstrating the stamina necessary to execute Guardiola’s demanding tactical approach.
Duels won percentage of 58.3%: Indicating he possesses the physical attributes to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
While statistics never tell the complete story, these numbers paint a picture of a midfielder who combines technical excellence with physical robustness and tactical intelligence—precisely the profile Manchester City need to address the void left by De Bruyne’s departure.
Tactical Fit Under Guardiola
What makes Reijnders particularly appealing for Manchester City is his tactical versatility. Throughout his career, Guardiola has favored midfielders who can function effectively in multiple roles, adapting to different game situations and tactical requirements.
At Milan, Reijnders has demonstrated his ability to operate effectively as a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box midfielder, and occasionally in a more advanced position. This positional flexibility would give Guardiola valuable tactical options as he reconfigures his midfield following De Bruyne’s departure.
More specifically, there are several ways Reijnders could potentially slot into Manchester City’s setup:
As a Number 8 in Guardiola’s 4-3-3
In City’s standard formation, Reijnders could occupy one of the advanced midfield positions, making late runs into the box while contributing to the team’s build-up play. His goal-scoring record suggests he could help address the lack of goals from City’s central midfield—a problem that has persisted throughout the 2024/25 season.
As Part of a Double Pivot
When Guardiola opts for a 4-2-3-1 formation, particularly in challenging away fixtures or European encounters, Reijnders could form an effective partnership with Rodri. His passing range and defensive awareness make him well-suited to this slightly deeper role, where he could help control possession while still contributing to attacking phases.
As a False Nine or Advanced Midfielder
On occasions when Guardiola deploys his “midfielder-heavy” approach without a recognized striker, Reijnders’ ability to find space between the lines and arrive late in the box could prove invaluable. His goalscoring instincts would be particularly useful in this scenario.
Beyond his positional adaptability, Reijnders possesses several attributes that align perfectly with Guardiola’s footballing philosophy:
Press-resistance: His ability to retain possession under pressure would be invaluable in City’s build-up play.
Spatial awareness: His understanding of when to hold position and when to make forward runs would complement City’s possession-based approach.
Technical security: With a first touch and passing range reminiscent of David Silva, Reijnders would facilitate City’s intricate combination play.
Tactical discipline: His positional awareness and game intelligence suggest he would quickly grasp and execute Guardiola’s complex tactical instructions.
These qualities, combined with his age profile at 26 (turning 27 next season), position Reijnders as a player who could make an immediate impact while remaining a key figure for the next five to six years—precisely the timeline City’s recruitment team are likely focusing on.
The Gündoğan Situation
The potential arrival of Reijnders would inevitably raise questions about İlkay Gündoğan’s future at Manchester City. The German international returned to the Etihad in the summer of 2023 after a brief, somewhat unfulfilling stint at Barcelona, but his second spell at City has failed to recapture the magic of his first.
Hailed as “exceptional” by Txiki Begiristain upon his return, Gündoğan has struggled to deliver the influential performances that defined his initial seven-year stay at the club. Across 48 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 season, he has managed just two goals and five assists—a dramatic decline from the player who recorded 11 goals and 7 assists in his final season before departing for Barcelona.
A closer examination of Gündoğan’s Premier League statistics this season reveals concerns beyond his reduced goal contributions:
0 goals in 31 league appearances: A stark decline for a midfielder who was once among the league’s most reliable goal threats.
Only 3 big chances created: Reflecting his diminished creative influence.
48.7% duels won: Suggesting he’s struggling with the physical aspects of Premier League football.
0.8 tackles per game: Indicating reduced defensive output.
Pressing effectiveness down 14%: Perhaps the most concerning statistic for a Guardiola team, where counter-pressing remains fundamental.
While age inevitably impacts a player’s performance—Gündoğan turned 34 in October—the precipitous nature of his decline has caught many observers by surprise. The German international appears to have lost the explosive burst that once allowed him to arrive late in the penalty area, contributing to his reduced goal threat.
Moreover, with Gündoğan reportedly earning £170,000 per week on his return to City, his contributions no longer justify his status as one of the squad’s highest earners. Should Reijnders arrive this summer, it would almost certainly signal the end of Gündoğan’s second stint in Manchester, with Saudi Pro League clubs and MLS franchises reportedly monitoring his situation.
The Financial Picture
Any move for Reijnders would need to align with Manchester City’s financial strategy, particularly in the context of ongoing scrutiny regarding compliance with financial regulations. The club faces 115 charges of alleged financial breaches, with a resolution to this long-running saga expected sometime in the 2025/26 season.
While these legal proceedings continue, City will need to demonstrate prudent financial management. Reports from Italy suggest Milan would demand a fee in the region of €60-70 million (£51-60 million) for Reijnders, reflecting both his performances and the fact he’s contracted until 2028 with no release clause.
This figure, while substantial, could represent good value considering the player’s age profile and potential resale value. Moreover, with De Bruyne’s departure removing his reported £400,000 weekly salary from the wage bill, plus potential exits for other high-earners like Gündoğan, there should be ample room in City’s budget to accommodate Reijnders’ salary demands, expected to be around £150,000 per week.
The club’s forthcoming strategy appears centered on reducing the average age of the squad while maintaining elite quality—a difficult balancing act that Reijnders would fit perfectly. At 26, he offers the ideal blend of established quality and long-term value.
A New Era Beckons
Manchester City stand at a crossroads. The departures of club legends and the end of their trophy streak signal that a new chapter must begin at the Etihad. While transition periods typically involve some degree of performance decline, City’s immense resources and Guardiola’s tactical genius provide them with the tools to potentially rebuild without regressing.
Reijnders would represent an ideal figurehead for this new era. His playing style—technically refined yet physically robust—embodies the evolution of the modern midfielder. Moreover, his relatively late breakthrough at the elite level suggests he may just be entering his prime years, with his best football potentially still ahead of him.
His arrival could also facilitate tactical evolution within the squad. Throughout his managerial career, Guardiola has continually adapted his approach to maximize the talents of his key players. De Bruyne’s departure removes the team’s primary creative hub, potentially allowing for a more distributed approach to chance creation—something Reijnders’ all-action style would complement perfectly.
Beyond purely technical considerations, Reijnders also brings leadership qualities that would prove valuable during a transitional period. As Milan teammate Rafael Leão noted earlier this season: “Tijjani is someone who leads through his actions. He’s always focused, always professional. In difficult moments, he’s the one who keeps his composure and finds solutions.”
Competition for Signature
Manchester City are unlikely to be the only club interested in Reijnders this summer. Reports from Italy suggest Bayern Munich have identified him as a potential alternative should they fail to land primary target João Palhinha from Fulham. Meanwhile, PSG sporting director Luis Campos is said to have personally scouted Reijnders multiple times this season.
Within the Premier League, Arsenal have been linked with the Dutchman as Mikel Arteta seeks to add goals from midfield, while Liverpool’s incoming coach Arne Slot is familiar with Reijnders from their time in the Eredivisie and reportedly admires his compatriot’s qualities.
This competition could potentially drive up both the transfer fee and wage demands, though City’s prestige and the opportunity to work under Guardiola remain powerful recruitment tools. The player himself has remained coy about his future, stating recently: “I’m fully focused on finishing the season strongly with Milan and then performing at the Euros. What happens after that, we will see.”
European Championship Showcase
This summer’s European Championship in Germany presents Reijnders with the perfect platform to showcase his talents on the international stage. After making his Netherlands debut in November 2023, he has quickly established himself as an important figure in Ronald Koeman’s setup, forming an effective midfield partnership with Frenkie de Jong.
Strong performances at the tournament could further increase interest in his services and potentially his valuation. For City, this presents a strategic dilemma—move early and potentially secure Reijnders before his stock rises further, or wait to see how he performs on the international stage before committing to a significant investment.
Given City’s typically meticulous approach to recruitment, they may well attempt to accelerate discussions before the tournament begins on June 14th. This would align with their general preference for concluding major business early in transfer windows, allowing new signings maximum time to acclimatize during pre-season.
Conclusion: A Perfect Match?
The potential acquisition of Tijjani Reijnders represents exactly the type of shrewd, forward-thinking recruitment that has underpinned Manchester City’s sustained success under Guardiola. Rather than seeking a like-for-like replacement for De Bruyne—an essentially impossible task given the Belgian’s unique qualities—City appear to be targeting a different profile of midfielder who could help evolve the team’s approach.
Reijnders offers the perfect blend of immediate impact and long-term value. His technical security would maintain City’s possession dominance, while his goal threat would address a clear deficiency in the current squad. Moreover, his age profile aligns with the club’s apparent strategy of reducing the squad’s average age while maintaining elite quality.
For Gündoğan, Reijnders’ arrival would likely spell the end of his second stint at City. While the German’s contributions to the club’s golden era are undeniable, his diminished effectiveness this season suggests the time is right for a changing of the guard in City’s engine room.
As the adage goes, the true sign of a great team is their ability to rebuild before decline sets in. With De Bruyne’s departure confirmed and other veterans potentially following, Manchester City’s hierarchy face the challenge of refreshing a squad that has delivered unprecedented success. The pursuit of Tijjani Reijnders suggests they are approaching this challenge with characteristic intelligence and foresight.
The next few months will reveal whether Reijnders indeed becomes the face of Manchester City’s midfield rebuild. But one thing is clear: in a summer of significant change at the Etihad Stadium, the Dutch international represents exactly the type of signing that could help launch the next successful chapter in the club’s modern history.
