Manchester City has finalized a £46.3 million (€55 million) transfer deal with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The 24-year-old, who has been one of the standout performers in Serie A—leading all midfielders in goals and assists last season—will sign a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
As City gears up for the Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 18 against Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, they aim to secure additional players in the lead-up to the tournament. The early window for squad registration closes on June 10, but teams will have a chance to add players again after the group stages, from June 27 to July 3.
Alongside Reijnders, City is interested in acquiring Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists last season, and Wolves left-back Rayan Ait Nouri, who is expected to come with a price tag of at least £50 million. Ait Nouri is also representing Algeria in the upcoming friendlies, which adds urgency to City’s pursuit.
City chairman Kaldoon Al-Mubarak reflected on the past season, stating that the club should have taken a more aggressive approach during the previous summer transfer window. His acknowledgment of the lessons learned from not achieving any major trophies this past season sets an ambitious tone for future endeavors. Al-Mubarak noted, “This year is another year where I think when I look back, last summer, we probably should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do.”
Reijnders is expected to play a crucial role in revitalizing City’s midfield as they look to bounce back next season. With a commitment to strengthening the squad, there is optimism that these strategic signings will help City regain their competitive edge and pursue further successes on both domestic and international fronts.
In conclusion, as Manchester City embraces this new chapter, their proactive approach in the transfer market signals a determined strategy to reclaim their status in football, fostering hope for fans eager to witness a triumphant return.