‎Manchester City seal €55m transfer agreement to sign AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders

‎Manchester City have finalized a €55 million (£46.3m) deal, including add-ons, with AC Milan for the signing of Tijjani Reijnders, marking a significant reinforcement to Pep Guardiola’s midfield following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne.

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Manchester City agree €55m deal for Tijjani Reijnders from Milan. Dutch star joins on five-year contract to fill Kevin De Bruyne’s midfield void.

‎Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

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‎The Netherlands international has agreed to a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with personal terms already settled. At 26, Reijnders arrives after an outstanding season in Serie A, where he scored 15 goals across all competitions and was crowned Midfielder of the Year.

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‎City initiated contact with Milan earlier in May, as first reported by The Athletic, and talks progressed steadily. Milan had recently extended Reijnders' contract until 2030, but the Premier League champions presented an offer too substantial to decline.

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‎With De Bruyne’s exit and Rodri only recently returning from a lengthy ACL injury, Guardiola has been actively reshaping his midfield. The addition of Nico Gonzalez in January was a step in that direction, but Reijnders offers a more complete, tempo-setting profile.

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‎Known for his positional intelligence and versatility, Reijnders is comfortable receiving from deep and progressing the ball through short passes, carries, or well-timed off-ball runs. His style has drawn comparisons to a blend of Ilkay Gündoğan and Bernardo Silva, offering City both stability in possession and incisiveness in attack.

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‎Despite not being a traditional defensive midfielder, Reijnders often took up the deepest role in Milan’s build-up — a key trait in Guardiola’s tactical setup. His ability to drop deep, orchestrate play, and transition fluidly into the final third mirrors the hybrid responsibilities previously entrusted to Gündoğan.

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‎Capped 22 times since his 2023 debut, Reijnders was instrumental in the Netherlands’ strong showing at Euro 2024, where they reached the semi-finals. His mix of technical ability, spatial awareness, and tactical discipline makes him a natural fit for Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy.

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‎Manchester City fans can expect a midfielder who not only understands the tempo of elite European football but is also capable of executing the complex demands of life under Pep. As the club seeks to evolve post-De Bruyne, the signing of Reijnders represents both a strategic acquisition and a statement of sustained ambition.