Manchester City have finalized a €55 million (£46.3m) transfer agreement with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, marking their first major signing of the summer transfer window. The 26-year-old, who has been a standout performer for both club and country, is set to join Pep Guardiola’s squad as they aim to bolster their midfield ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup and the upcoming Premier League campaign. Reports indicate the deal could rise to €70m (£58.9m) with performance-related bonuses, reflecting City’s high expectations for the versatile player.
Reijnders, capped 22 times for the Netherlands, enjoyed a stellar 2024-25 season with AC Milan, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists in 54 appearances across all competitions. Despite Milan’s disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A, which saw them miss out on European football, Reijnders earned widespread praise, including the Serie A Midfielder of the Season award. His standout performances, notably against Real Madrid in the Champions League, caught the attention of several top clubs, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly among those outmaneuvered by City’s swift negotiations.
The transfer comes as part of Manchester City’s strategic squad rebuild following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne in June and a season hampered by injuries, including Rodri’s absence for much of the campaign due to an ACL injury. Reijnders’ box-to-box profile, slick first touch, and ability to play as both a No. 8 and a more advanced No. 10 make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s tactical system. Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has described him as “super complete,” while Milan legend Frank Rijkaard has also endorsed the midfielder’s quality and work rate.
Negotiations between Manchester City and AC Milan progressed rapidly over the past week, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming a verbal agreement was reached, and personal terms with Reijnders were sealed days ago. The Dutchman, currently on international duty for World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Malta, has remained coy about the move. Speaking to Voetbal International, he said, “The clubs are still in talks. For me, it’s a waiting game now,” while confirming discussions with City defender Nathan Aké about life at the Etihad Stadium. Despite signing a contract extension with Milan until 2030 earlier this year, Reijnders admitted the Premier League is a “childhood dream,” signaling his openness to the move.
City’s urgency to complete the deal stems from their desire to integrate Reijnders before their Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC on June 18. The transfer is part of a broader recruitment drive, with City also linked to Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, though interest in Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has reportedly cooled following Reijnders’ arrival. The club’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, emphasized last week their intent to act “very swiftly” in the transfer market to ensure a refreshed squad capable of reclaiming the Premier League title.
For AC Milan, the sale of Reijnders, who joined from AZ Alkmaar in 2023, is a financial necessity after missing European competition. Fans have expressed frustration, with some viewing the departure of the fan-favorite midfielder—alongside potential exits of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao—as a sign of the club prioritizing financial stability over ambition. The guaranteed €55m fee, with potential add-ons, represents a significant profit for Milan, though it has sparked debate about their transfer strategy.
Reijnders is expected to undergo a medical after his international commitments and, assuming no setbacks, will sign a five-year contract with Manchester City. The move underscores City’s ambition to maintain their dominance under Guardiola, with Reijnders poised to play a pivotal role in their pursuit of silverware.