The Dutch international has emerged as one of the leading names on the transfer wish list of Etihad Stadium officials, who are plotting a significant revamp of Pep Guardiola’s playing squad in time for the start of the 2025/26 season.
Following a hugely disappointing and ongoing season, that will end without a major trophy for the first time since the Catalan’s debut campaign at the club, the likes of Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain have outlined a number of positions in need of investment.
While there is expected to be focus placed on both full-back positions, particularly in light of Kyle Walker’s pending permanent exit, City bosses will look to recruit more than once in the central positions amid Kevin De Bruyne’s departure next month.
A creative midfielder will no doubt be high on the list of tasks to fulfil but that player will not be Florian Wirtz after City withdrew interest, while a No.8 is believed to be targeted to add much-needed legs into an ageing department of the squad.
Now, according to the information of Sky Sport’s Sacha Tavolieri, AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders is ‘so enthusiastic’ about the project presented by Manchester City and considers playing under Pep Guardiola as ‘a dream come true’.
It is explained that the 26-year-old knows he will be able to ‘grow and develop’ under Guardiola, and has already made it clear to his representatives that he is prioritising a move to the Etihad Stadium, despite competition from Real Madrid.
And given the mutual admiration between both parties, it is also revealed that Hugo Viana – leading the chase from Manchester City – has already ‘outlined the first agreements’ on personal terms with the Dutch international.
City now plan to send an initial written offer to AC Milan this week to begin discussions over a transfer and have already inquired about the financial demands of the Italian side through the player’s agents.
While there is expected to be a demand of €65 million, an agreement could be reached around €50 million according to report, where bonuses based on collective and individual success would then be added on top.
But how does Pep Guardiola feel about the whole deal
The report claims that Reijnders is being considered internally as ‘the perfect player to orchestrate play’ alongside Rodri, and the Manchester City manager is ‘convinced’ that with both players in his side, a Premier League title win is on the cards for next season.
It remains to be seen what the signing of Tijjani Reijnders could mean for existing players within the squad, particularly those of a more senior age profile, including the likes of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.
The latter recently saw a 12-month extension automatically trigger within his Manchester City contract having accumulated the necessary number of appearances this season following his return to the club from FC Barcelona last summer.
As for Bernardo Silva, the Portugal international has long been linked with various routes out of the club, although no such team has matched the financial requirements outlined by Etihad officials – who have not stood in the way of an exit.
While both will likely command interest throughout the summer, the current expectation is for the veteran stars to remain at the club into next season, and perhaps play a crucial role in transitioning new players into the existing winning culture built by players like themselves
