Manchester City sign Tijjani Reijnders — that’s the headline shaking up the football transfer world today. The Netherlands international has agreed to join Pep Guardiola’s side from AC Milan for a reported fee of €55 million, becoming City’s first major summer signing ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
This Tijjani Reijnders transfer to Manchester City isn’t just another deal—it’s a powerful statement of intent from the English giants. After being dethroned as Premier League champions in the 2024–25 season, City are wasting no time in building a new-look squad with eyes on reclaiming domestic dominance and conquering the world stage.
Who Is Tijjani Reijnders?
Reijnders, 26, stood out as Serie A’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024–25 season despite Milan’s underwhelming campaign. A dynamic and creative attacking midfielder, he netted 15 goals—an exceptional tally that caught the attention of Europe’s elite. His intelligent movement, eye for goal, and tactical versatility make him a perfect fit for Guardiola’s system.
The Tijjani Reijnders transfer to Manchester City comes at a time when the club is preparing for a major rebuild. With Kevin De Bruyne departing, City needed a fresh creative force in midfield. Reijnders isn’t just a replacement—he’s a new engine to power Guardiola’s next evolution.
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Why This Move Makes Sense
The keyword here is rebuild. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak already hinted in May that the club had laid out a clear summer plan. Speaking in an official club interview, he revealed:
“We already started that rebuild of this team in January… Our objective is to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
Reijnders is the first part of that puzzle.
City spent heavily in January, bringing in the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, and Vitor Reis, among others. The Tijjani Reijnders transfer to Manchester City now kicks off their summer business with a bang.
What Does This Mean for City’s Midfield?
With De Bruyne gone and Jack Grealish also likely to leave, the midfield is being reshaped. Reijnders is expected to operate centrally but can also push forward or sit deeper depending on the tactical demands.
Pairing him with Rodri and potentially Matheus Nunes or Mateo Kovacic gives City a balanced, creative, and hard-working midfield. Guardiola is known for demanding technical precision, and Reijnders ticks every box.
Importantly, Reijnders himself is excited about the move, telling Voetbal International:
“The Premier League is a great league—you dream of that as a little boy… I haven’t had contact with Guardiola yet, but the move feels right.”
Reijnders Transfer Marks a Shift at Manchester City
Let’s not forget: City have qualified for the Champions League and will also compete in the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Managing both competitions requires squad depth—but not too much of it.
Guardiola was crystal clear in May when he said:
“As a manager, I cannot train 24 players… I said to the club: I don’t want that.”
So while the Tijjani Reijnders transfer to Manchester City shows ambition, it also fits Guardiola’s vision of a lean, competitive, and high-quality squad.
This isn’t a Galactico-style splurge—it’s targeted, smart recruitment.
What About Other Potential Signings?
City have also been linked with:
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Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolves full-back)
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Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), although that deal has reportedly cooled due to price
For now, though, Reijnders is the name on every fan’s lips.
His arrival signals that Manchester City are serious about bouncing back. After losing the Premier League crown, and falling short in the FA Cup Final to Crystal Palace, the message is clear: this team will not sit still.
When Will Reijnders Be Unveiled?
City are expected to present Reijnders at the Etihad Campus in the coming week. He’ll likely join the squad for pre-season in the U.S. before making his competitive debut in the Club World Cup.
Given the early timing of the transfer—just days after the Premier League window opened—it’s obvious that City are moving quickly to finalise their squad.
