Reijnders Move Edges Closer

City are accelerating efforts to finalise a deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, with officials at the Etihad aiming to strike a closed agreement for the Dutch international in the coming days, according to reports.

Reijnders has swiftly emerged as Pep Guardiola’s priority midfield target as City look to refresh their engine room following a demanding and, at times, disjointed campaign across domestic and European fronts.

The need for midfield reinforcements has intensified amid confirmation that Kevin De Bruyne will depart upon the expiry of his contract. Questions also linger over the futures of Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish, with both players reportedly open to fresh challenges as they approach the latter stages of their careers.

As a result, City’s recruitment focus has shifted toward injecting both creativity and dynamism into the heart of midfield. While younger attacking profiles such as Rayan Cherki of Lyon and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White have been discussed for the advanced No.10 role, the deeper, more versatile position appears destined for Reijnders – widely regarded as one of Serie A’s standout performers last season.

According to French journalist Santi Aouna, Milan have received what’s described as a “very good” proposal from City for the 25-year-old, with negotiations between the two clubs said to be progressing positively. Crucially, the player himself is believed to have given the green light to the move, and talks over personal terms are reportedly nearing completion.

Should City land Reijnders, he would provide Guardiola with a flexible option capable of operating alongside Rodri in a holding role or further forward in the No.8 position – a space previously occupied by Ilkay Gundogan and more recently by Mateo Kovacic and Nico González.

The latter arrived from Barcelona in January with the expectation of serving as cover for Rodri, but Guardiola has since revealed he sees González thriving in a more transitional midfield function.

“Nico is a fantastic guy,” said Guardiola, speaking toward the end of the Premier League season. “He can play holding midfielder, he can play more in front, made a fantastic goal [against Bournemouth].

“And of course it’s good news that Rodri is back – still he’s on the way, he needs months and months, but the first step, he did it.”

City’s pursuit of Reijnders signals the start of what Khaldoon Mubarak confirmed will be a significant summer overhaul in midfield, as the club prepare for the next phase of Guardiola’s reign with both ambition and tactical evolution firmly in mind.