Manchester City have agreed to a £46.3 million (€55 million) transfer fee with AC Milan to secure the signing of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The 26-year-old is set to sign a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, bolstering Pep Guardiola’s midfield options ahead of a busy season.
Tijjani Reijnders: Netherlands International and Serie A’s Top Midfielder
Reijnders, who joined AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023, emerged as one of Serie A’s most effective midfielders last season. He led all midfielders in goals and assists, scoring 15 goals in the 2024-25 campaign despite Milan’s underwhelming eighth-place finish.
Strengthening City’s Midfield After De Bruyne’s Departure
With club legend Kevin De Bruyne departing, Manchester City have moved quickly to add creativity and goal threat in midfield. Reijnders’ arrival gives Guardiola a versatile and proven Serie A performer ready to contribute immediately.
Transfer Window and Club World Cup Timing
Manchester City are keen to finalize new signings before the Club World Cup in the United States. The early registration window closes on June 10, but clubs can still register players during the in-tournament window between June 27 and July 3.
City’s first match at the Club World Cup will be on June 18 against Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, highlighting the need for squad reinforcements before the competition kicks off.
Other Transfer Targets and City’s Transfer Strategy
Alongside Reijnders, Manchester City are targeting promising talents like Cherki and Ait Nouri to further strengthen their squad depth. While eager to complete deals before the Club World Cup, City’s management has stressed that transfers will not be rushed just to meet tournament deadlines.
