Manchester City have confirmed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for an initial fee of £46.5 million.
The Netherlands international has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League champions and becomes the fourth addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer.
Reijnders has arrived as a direct response to the departure of Kevin De Bruyne and is expected to feature in City’s upcoming FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
“This is a dream come true. City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, this club has achieved so much, and I want to help continue that legacy with more success in the coming years.”
Tijjani Reijnders
Reijnders is the latest arrival in what has been a very active summer for Manchester City. The club has also signed Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves (left-back), Rayan Cherki from Lyon (attacking midfielder and Marcus Bettinelli as a backup goalkeeper.
The combined cost of the summer’s business so far is around £108 million—still less than the reported €150 million (£127m) price tag for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, whom City were strongly linked with earlier in the window.
Rather than targeting a single high-profile player, Guardiola and the City management have chosen to distribute their spending across several positions, seeking to enhance squad depth for the challenging season ahead.
All four new players are eligible to participate in the Club World Cup, where City will kick off their journey on 18th June 2025 against Wydad AC in Philadelphia.
Given the competition’s growth in size and importance, there were questions about how seriously European clubs would approach it. City has responded decisively with calculated signings indicating their commitment to securing the title for their collection of trophies.
Stats for The 2024/25 Season
Reijnders was one of the few bright sparks in a disappointing 2024/25 season for AC Milan. Despite the club finishing eighth and missing out on European qualification, the Dutch midfielder stood out with 10 goals and 4 assists in Serie A, a top-10 ranking for forward passes and high placements for through balls and ball carries.
His ability to operate box-to-box, link defence and attack, and consistently break lines makes him a strong fit for Guardiola’s evolving tactical setup.
City had previously attempted to boost their midfield with the £50 million acquisition of Nico Gonzalez in February. However, they struggled with physicality and energy in the centre of the pitch during the latter stages of last season, issues that Reijnders is expected to address directly.
Man City Midfield Overhaul
With De Bruyne gone and other departures likely, Reijnders’ signing could be the start of a massive midfield overhaul.
Guardiola is reportedly open to letting Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, and Jack Grealish leave the club. Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, and Mateo Kovačić (who is currently injured) are also nearing the twilight of their peak years.
At just under 27 years old, Reijnders is entering his prime. His style of play mirrors some of City’s most successful midfielders of the Guardiola era: technically sound, tactically intelligent, and capable of contributing in both halves of the pitch.
The midfield isn’t the only area experiencing change. Club insiders indicate that Kyle Walker, who spent the latter part of last season on loan, might be leaving permanently.
There’s also uncertainty regarding the futures of Ederson, Nathan Aké, and John Stones, all of whom have been linked to possible transfers.
Guardiola could be gearing up for his final chapter at the club or establishing a foundation for a smooth transition. Regardless, City’s actions in the transfer market demonstrate a commitment to staying ahead while adapting both tactically and physically.
Manchester City finished third in the Premier League last season which was an underwhelming result by their recent standards.
Reijnders’ signing could mark a turning point. He brings the running power, creativity, and tactical discipline that City sorely lacked at times last campaign. With him and Cherki now in the fold, the midfield suddenly looks younger, more energetic, and ready for a fresh era of dominance.
The Club World Cup will be the first big test for the new-look squad. With Reijnders likely to make his debut in that tournament, fans won’t have to wait long to see what the Dutchman brings to Guardiola’s machine.
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