Manchester City Sets Sights on Rising Star Reijnders: What’s Next?
Manchester City is reportedly preparing a bid for AC Milan’s dynamic midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, according to sources close to the club. The 25-year-old Dutchman, who impressed in his debut Serie A season, has emerged as a prime target for Pep Guardiola’s squad as they seek to bolster their midfield options ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The potential transfer, estimated at €40-50 million, could be finalized before preseason training begins in July.
Why Reijnders Fits Guardiola’s Vision
Since joining AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 for €19 million, Reijnders has become one of Europe’s most complete midfielders. His 2023-24 stats reveal why City sees him as an ideal fit:
- 93% pass accuracy in Serie A (2nd among midfielders)
- 4.3 progressive carries per 90 minutes
- 7 goal contributions (3 goals, 4 assists) in 32 league matches
“Reijnders has the technical precision and tactical intelligence that Guardiola prizes,” noted football analyst James Montague. “His ability to dictate tempo while making late runs into the box mirrors how İlkay Gündoğan operated in City’s system.”
The Tactical Implications for City
With Kevin De Bruyne turning 33 and Bernardo Silva linked to Barcelona, City’s interest in Reijnders signals a strategic pivot. The Dutch international’s versatility allows him to play as:
- A deep-lying playmaker
- Box-to-box midfielder
- Advanced creator
Former Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk told De Telegraaf: “Tijjani reminds me of a young Frenkie de Jong but with better goal instincts. At City, he’d thrive in their positional play system while adding much-needed height (1.85m) to their midfield.”
Competition and Financial Considerations
Manchester United and Bayern Munich have also monitored Reijnders, but City’s Champions League status and wage structure give them an edge. The proposed deal would likely include:
- €45 million base fee
- €5-7 million in performance bonuses
- 5-year contract at £120,000 weekly
AC Milan faces Financial Fair Play pressures after their €75 million spending last summer, making them more open to negotiations. However, club director Giorgio Furlani recently stated: “We want to build around our core—only extraordinary offers will be considered.”
How Reijnders Could Reshape City’s Midfield
A potential Reijnders acquisition would allow Guardiola to:
- Rotate Rodri more frequently to avoid burnout
- Deploy Phil Foden in advanced roles
- Transition smoothly from Gündoğan’s departure
Data from Opta shows Reijnders covered 12.3 km per 90 minutes last season—higher than any City midfielder except Rodri (12.7 km). His defensive contributions (1.8 tackles, 1.2 interceptions per game) also address concerns about City’s midfield fragility in transitions.
What’s Next in the Transfer Saga?
Sources indicate City will formalize their interest after the Euros, where Reijnders starts for the Netherlands. Key milestones ahead:
- June 15-25: Initial talks with Milan
- July 1-7: Medical if terms agreed
- July 15: Potential unveiling during US preseason tour
However, the deal faces hurdles. Milan may demand Julian Álvarez in a swap, while Reijnders’ agent recently hinted his client is “happy in Italy but open to top projects.”
The Bigger Picture for Manchester City
This move aligns with City’s strategy of signing players aged 24-26 who can contribute immediately while having resale value. Since 2020, their midfield signings (Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Matheus Nunes) averaged €55 million—Reijnders fits this profile perfectly.
Should the transfer succeed, it would mark City’s third major signing after Savio (Girona) and a potential left-back. As the club aims to become the first team to win five consecutive Premier League titles, Reijnders’ energy and creativity could prove decisive in tight matches.
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