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Manchester City in talks over deal for “complete” midfielder with 15 goals last season
Manchester City are expected to be extremely active in the transfer market this summer after what was, by their lofty standards, a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.
For the first time in eight years, Pep Guardiola’s side ended a season without a major trophy (excluding the Community Shield). They finished third in the Premier League, were beaten by Crystal Palace in a shock FA Cup final defeat at Wembley, exited the Carabao Cup in the fourth round, and only reached the Champions League knockout round playoffs—just two years after winning the competition.
With a major rebuild looming, City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak admitted the club were too passive in the previous summer window—when they only signed Savinho and brought back Ilkay Gündogan—and promised a more aggressive approach this time around.
“I can assure you, this club will do everything possible to come back to the standards that we know we all can achieve—and that we know, we will achieve,” he said in an interview published on the club’s website.
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly are the targets, in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option,” he explained. “And we’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift.”
City in Talks for Tijjani Reijnders
Tijjani Reijnders. (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
The transfer window officially opens on June 1, but City could make a move even before things get into full swing.
According to Sky Sports, the club are in active negotiations with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
Discussions are ongoing, and Milan are believed to be holding out for a fee close to £59 million.
City are eager to get a deal done before the FIFA Club World Cup in July, with Guardiola keen to refresh his midfield following Kevin De Bruyne’s impending departure from the Etihad Stadium.
Reijnders was arguably Serie A’s standout midfielder last season, registering 10 goals and five assists in league play—more goal involvements than any other midfielder in the division. Across all competitions, he finished with 15 goals.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has spoken highly of Reijnders, calling him “a super complete midfielder with acceleration.”
Exciting times may be on the horizon at the Etihad.
