Manchester City’s summer transfer window has taken a dramatic turn with reports suggesting that the Premier League giants have successfully negotiated a deal to sign AC Milan’s Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for a substantial fee of €75 million. According to respected journalist Alfredo Pedulla, writing for Football Italia, City have not only agreed to meet Milan’s valuation but have also secured personal terms with the player, offering him an impressive €8 million annual salary to make the move to the Etihad Stadium.
This potential signing represents far more than just another high-profile acquisition for Manchester City. It signals a clear intent from Pep Guardiola and the club’s hierarchy to address the creative void that has become increasingly apparent in their midfield, particularly with Kevin De Bruyne entering the twilight of his career. Reijnders, at just 26 years old, represents both immediate impact and long-term investment for a club that has watched their domestic dominance slip away during a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
Tijjani Reijnders’ journey to becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders is a testament to modern football’s evolving landscape. The Dutch international, who has established himself as a creative force at AC Milan, brings a unique blend of technical ability, tactical intelligence, and goal-scoring prowess that has caught the attention of Europe’s elite clubs.
During the recently concluded season, Reijnders demonstrated his value with an impressive tally of 15 goals and 5 assists across all competitions for Milan. These numbers are particularly striking for a midfielder who operates primarily in a deeper, more creative role. His ability to contribute significantly in the final third while maintaining his defensive responsibilities has made him an invaluable asset for the Rossoneri and explains why City are willing to invest such a substantial sum in his services.
The Netherlands international’s playing style appears tailor-made for Guardiola’s system. His exceptional passing range, combined with his ability to arrive late in the box and finish clinically, mirrors many of the qualities that made De Bruyne such a cornerstone of City’s success during their golden period. Reijnders possesses the technical skills to operate in tight spaces, the vision to unlock stubborn defenses, and the work rate to contribute defensively when required
The pursuit of Reijnders must be viewed within the context of Manchester City’s broader strategic objectives following what can only be described as a disappointing 2024-25 season. For a club accustomed to setting the standard in English football, finishing third in the Premier League table represented a significant regression. The failure to secure a fifth consecutive league title, combined with early Champions League elimination and a surprising FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, has prompted serious reflection within the club’s hierarchy.
Pep Guardiola, despite his unprecedented success at the Etihad, faces questions about his ability to rejuvenate an aging squad while adapting to the evolving challenges of modern football. The Catalan manager’s system has always relied heavily on technical midfielders capable of controlling tempo, creating chances, and maintaining possession under pressure. With De Bruyne’s influence waning due to age and injury concerns, and other midfield options failing to consistently deliver the required creative spark, the need for a player of Reijnders’ caliber has become urgent.
The club’s January acquisition of Omar Marmoush provided some encouragement, with the forward showing promising signs of adaptation to Guardiola’s system. However, one signing alone was never going to address the multifaceted challenges facing City. The potential addition of Reijnders represents a more comprehensive approach to squad renovation, targeting a player who can immediately slot into the first team while offering years of peak performance.
From a tactical perspective, Reijnders’ arrival would provide Guardiola with fascinating options for system adaptation. The Dutch midfielder’s versatility allows him to operate in multiple positions within City’s fluid formation. He can function as a traditional number 8, driving forward from deeper positions to support attacks, or as a more advanced playmaker, operating closer to the final third where his goal-scoring ability becomes most potent.
His pressing resistance and ball retention skills make him ideally suited to City’s possession-based approach. In Serie A, Reijnders has consistently demonstrated his ability to receive the ball under pressure, turn defenders, and progress play through the lines. These attributes align perfectly with Guardiola’s demands for midfielders who can maintain composure in challenging situations while creating space for teammates.
The potential partnership between Reijnders and existing City midfielders presents intriguing possibilities. His combination with Rodri could provide the perfect balance of defensive solidity and creative flair, while his understanding with more advanced players like Phil Foden could unlock new dimensions in City’s attacking play. The Dutch international’s ability to arrive late in the box also adds an element of unpredictability that has been missing from City’s midfield in recent seasons
City’s interest in Reijnders forms part of what appears to be a comprehensive summer rebuild. Reports from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano indicate that the club is simultaneously pursuing deals for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri, suggesting a multi-faceted approach to squad enhancement.
The potential acquisition of Cherki would add another creative dimension to City’s attacking options. The young French midfielder has impressed with his technical ability and vision at Lyon, offering the kind of unpredictability and flair that could complement Reijnders’ more structured approach to creativity. Meanwhile, Ait-Nouri’s pace and attacking instincts from the left-back position could provide the width and pace that City have sometimes lacked in their buildup play.
This three-pronged approach indicates that City’s hierarchy recognizes the need for significant investment to return to their previous levels of dominance. Rather than making cosmetic changes, they appear committed to addressing fundamental weaknesses that became apparent during their disappointing campaign
The €75 million valuation of Reijnders reflects the current state of the transfer market, where proven performers at Europe’s top clubs command premium fees. While this represents a significant investment, it should be viewed within the context of City’s financial resources and their need to compete with Europe’s elite clubs for top talent.
From Milan’s perspective, the sale of Reijnders would provide substantial funds for their own rebuild. The Italian giants have faced financial pressures in recent years, and the opportunity to realize such a significant profit on a player they acquired for a fraction of this amount represents sound business. However, losing a player of Reijnders’ quality and importance to their system presents its own challenges for Milan’s sporting ambitions.
The proposed €8 million annual salary for Reijnders demonstrates City’s commitment to securing his signature against potential competition from other elite clubs. This figure places him among the higher earners at the club, reflecting both his expected contribution and the competitive nature of the modern transfer market.
Despite the obvious appeal of signing Reijnders, City must navigate several challenges to complete this transfer successfully. First, the competition from other elite clubs cannot be underestimated. A player of Reijnders’ quality and age profile will naturally attract interest from multiple sources, and City must ensure their offer remains the most attractive option from both financial and sporting perspectives.
The integration challenge also cannot be overlooked. While Reijnders’ technical profile suggests he should adapt well to Guardiola’s system, the Premier League presents unique physical and tactical demands that have challenged many technically gifted players. The intensity and pace of English football, combined with the specific requirements of City’s playing style, will require careful management during his adaptation period.
There’s also the question of how his arrival might affect existing squad members. City’s midfield already contains several talented players who might see their opportunities limited by Reijnders’ arrival. Managing these relationships while ensuring squad harmony will be crucial for Guardiola and his coaching staff.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of this potential signing is what it represents for Kevin De Bruyne’s future at the club. The Belgian maestro has been instrumental in City’s success over recent years, but age and injury concerns have raised questions about his long-term role in the team. Reijnders’ signing could be viewed as the beginning of a carefully managed transition, allowing De Bruyne to gradually reduce his workload while ensuring City maintains their creative output.
This succession planning represents smart squad management from City’s perspective. Rather than waiting for De Bruyne’s decline to become irreversible, they are proactively addressing the situation by bringing in a player who can learn from the Belgian’s experience while gradually assuming greater responsibility for City’s creative output.
The two players’ styles, while different in some respects, share enough similarities to suggest a potentially smooth transition. Both possess exceptional passing range, the ability to score crucial goals, and the tactical intelligence to adapt to different game situations. Reijnders’ relative youth means he could learn invaluable lessons from De Bruyne’s experience while bringing his own unique qualities to the team.
If completed, the Reijnders signing could prove pivotal in City’s quest to reclaim their position at the summit of English and European football. The Dutch midfielder’s combination of creativity, goal threat, and tactical flexibility addresses several weaknesses that became apparent during their disappointing campaign.
His ability to unlock tight defenses could prove crucial in the kind of matches where City struggled last season. Too often, Guardiola’s side found themselves unable to break down well-organized defensive blocks, lacking the creative spark to find decisive moments. Reijnders’ goal-scoring record from midfield suggests he could provide exactly this kind of impact in crucial situations.
From a psychological perspective, signing a player of Reijnders’ caliber would send a strong message about City’s ambitions and their commitment to returning to the top. After a season where their dominance was questioned, making such a significant investment demonstrates that they remain committed to competing at the highest level.
Beyond the immediate impact, Reijnders’ potential signing represents part of City’s long-term strategic planning. At 26, he enters what should be his peak years as a footballer, offering the club the prospect of several seasons of elite performance. This age profile aligns with City’s apparent strategy of combining experienced players with those entering their prime years.
The Dutch international’s contract situation and the proposed terms suggest that City view him as a cornerstone signing around whom they can build their future midfield structure. His technical abilities and tactical understanding should allow him to adapt as football continues to evolve, making him a sustainable investment for the club’s long-term objectives.
The potential signing of Tijjani Reijnders for €75 million represents more than just another high-profile transfer for Manchester City. It signals their intent to address the creative deficiencies that contributed to their disappointing 2024-25 campaign while planning for the post-De Bruyne era. The Dutch midfielder’s impressive goal and assist record, combined with his tactical versatility and technical ability, makes him an ideal candidate to reinvigorate City’s midfield.
As the summer transfer window progresses, this deal could prove to be the catalyst for City’s return to domestic and European prominence. Combined with their reported interest in Cherki and Ait-Nouri, it suggests a comprehensive approach to squad renovation that addresses both immediate needs and long-term strategic objectives.
For Reijnders himself, the move represents the opportunity to test himself at the highest level of club football while working under one of the game’s most innovative coaches. His adaptation to Guardiola’s system and the Premier League’s unique demands will be closely watched, as success could establish him as one of Europe’s premier midfielders.
Whether this transfer materializes remains to be seen, but the reported agreement represents a significant step toward what could be one of the summer’s most impactful signings. For Manchester City, securing Reijnders’ signature could prove to be the foundation upon which their next period of dominance is built.
