Manchester City are poised to make a splash in the summer transfer window, with AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders emerging as their top target to bolster a midfield in dire need of rejuvenation. The 26-year-old Dutch international has reportedly canceled a planned family holiday to Ibiza in early July, a move that signals his commitment to finalizing a £55 million transfer to the Etihad Stadium before the revamped Club World Cup kicks off in the United States. “This is a big opportunity for me,” Reijnders reportedly told close associates, reflecting his excitement about joining Pep Guardiola’s squad. With City reeling from a trophyless 2024-25 season and the impending departure of Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli, the pursuit of Reijnders underscores Guardiola’s determination to rebuild a squad that finished a disappointing third in the Premier League.
Reijnders, named Serie A’s Midfielder of the Season for 2024-25, has been a revelation at Milan, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 34 appearances despite the Rossoneri’s eighth-place finish. His dynamic box-to-box play, blending precise passing with relentless energy, has drawn comparisons to a young Frank Lampard. “He’s the perfect fit for what Pep wants—a No. 8 who can control the game and add goals,” a City insider noted, highlighting why Reijnders is seen as a key piece in replacing De Bruyne, whose £21 million move to Napoli has left a creative void. City’s midfield faces further upheaval, with Bernardo Silva, James McAtee, and Mateo Kovacic also linked with exits, making Reijnders’ potential arrival a critical step in restoring the team’s dominance.
The transfer talks have gained momentum, with City in advanced negotiations and preparing a formal offer. Reijnders’ decision to prioritize the move over his holiday plans has fueled optimism at the Etihad, where new director of football Hugo Viana is overseeing a squad overhaul following Txiki Begiristain’s departure. “We’re looking for players who can make an immediate impact without breaking our wage structure,” Viana said, a nod to City’s aim to reduce their 58% wages-to-turnover ratio. Reijnders, currently earning around £60,000 per week at Milan, could see his salary more than double, with City reportedly offering a deal exceeding £120,000 weekly to lure the former AZ Alkmaar star.
City’s interest in Reijnders is part of a broader strategy to inject youth and versatility into a squad that struggled with inconsistency, managing just one win during a nine-game stretch over the Christmas period. Guardiola, who extended his contract until 2027, has made it clear he wants a leaner, hungrier team. “We need energy, quality, and players who are ready to fight,” he said after a 2-0 win over Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season. While City initially targeted Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, whose £100 million price tag and interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool proved prohibitive, Reijnders represents a cost-effective alternative. His ambidextrous play and ability to dictate tempo align perfectly with Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy.
The transfer window, open from June 1 to 10 for Club World Cup participants, has added urgency to the deal, with City keen to integrate Reijnders before their campaign begins. The club’s £180 million January spending spree, which brought in Aboukir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis, showcased their financial muscle, bolstered by the £80 million sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. However, the potential exits of high earners like Jack Grealish, whose £300,000-per-week wages have deterred suitors like Tottenham and AC Milan, highlight the challenges of balancing the books. “We’re not just buying for the sake of it,” Guardiola emphasized, signaling a focus on strategic signings like Reijnders.
As City prepare for the Club World Cup, where they’ll face stiff competition, Reijnders’ arrival could be a game-changer. His 12 caps for the Netherlands and standout performances in Serie A suggest he’s ready for the Premier League’s intensity. “I want to play at the highest level and win trophies,” Reijnders said last year, a sentiment that aligns with City’s ambitions to reclaim their perch atop English and European football. With the Etihad buzzing with anticipation, Reijnders’ sacrifice of a sun-soaked holiday may herald the start of a new era for a club determined to rise from the ashes of a challenging season.
# Manchester City Close In on Tijjani Reijnders as Midfield Star Scraps Holiday to Seal £55 Million Transfer
Manchester City are poised to make a splash in the summer transfer window, with AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders emerging as their top target to bolster a midfield in dire need of rejuvenation. The 26-year-old Dutch international has reportedly canceled a planned family holiday to Ibiza in early July, a move that signals his commitment to finalizing a £55 million transfer to the Etihad Stadium before the revamped Club World Cup kicks off in the United States. “This is a big opportunity for me,” Reijnders reportedly told close associates, reflecting his excitement about joining Pep Guardiola’s squad. With City reeling from a trophyless 2024-25 season and the impending departure of Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli, the pursuit of Reijnders underscores Guardiola’s determination to rebuild a squad that finished a disappointing third in the Premier League.
Reijnders, named Serie A’s Midfielder of the Season for 2024-25, has been a revelation at Milan, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 34 appearances despite the Rossoneri’s eighth-place finish. His dynamic box-to-box play, blending precise passing with relentless energy, has drawn comparisons to a young Frank Lampard. “He’s the perfect fit for what Pep wants—a No. 8 who can control the game and add goals,” a City insider noted, highlighting why Reijnders is seen as a key piece in replacing De Bruyne, whose £21 million move to Napoli has left a creative void. City’s midfield faces further upheaval, with Bernardo Silva, James McAtee, and Mateo Kovacic also linked with exits, making Reijnders’ potential arrival a critical step in restoring the team’s dominance.
The transfer talks have gained momentum, with City in advanced negotiations and preparing a formal offer. Reijnders’ decision to prioritize the move over his holiday plans has fueled optimism at the Etihad, where new director of football Hugo Viana is overseeing a squad overhaul following Txiki Begiristain’s departure. “We’re looking for players who can make an immediate impact without breaking our wage structure,” Viana said, a nod to City’s aim to reduce their 58% wages-to-turnover ratio. Reijnders, currently earning around £60,000 per week at Milan, could see his salary more than double, with City reportedly offering a deal exceeding £120,000 weekly to lure the former AZ Alkmaar star.
City’s interest in Reijnders is part of a broader strategy to inject youth and versatility into a squad that struggled with inconsistency, managing just one win during a nine-game stretch over the Christmas period. Guardiola, who extended his contract until 2027, has made it clear he wants a leaner, hungrier team. “We need energy, quality, and players who are ready to fight,” he said after a 2-0 win over Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season. While City initially targeted Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, whose £100 million price tag and interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool proved prohibitive, Reijnders represents a cost-effective alternative. His ambidextrous play and ability to dictate tempo align perfectly with Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy.
The transfer window, open from June 1 to 10 for Club World Cup participants, has added urgency to the deal, with City keen to integrate Reijnders before their campaign begins. The club’s £180 million January spending spree, which brought in Aboukir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis, showcased their financial muscle, bolstered by the £80 million sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. However, the potential exits of high earners like Jack Grealish, whose £300,000-per-week wages have deterred suitors like Tottenham and AC Milan, highlight the challenges of balancing the books. “We’re not just buying for the sake of it,” Guardiola emphasized, signaling a focus on strategic signings like Reijnders.
As City prepare for the Club World Cup, where they’ll face stiff competition, Reijnders’ arrival could be a game-changer. His 12 caps for the Netherlands and standout performances in Serie A suggest he’s ready for the Premier League’s intensity. “I want to play at the highest level and win trophies,” Reijnders said last year, a sentiment that aligns with City’s ambitions to reclaim their perch atop English and European football. With the Etihad buzzing with anticipation, Reijnders’ sacrifice of a sun-soaked holiday may herald the start of a new era for a club determined to rise from the ashes of a challenging season.
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