Man City agree €70m deal for Serie A midfielder of the season Tijjani Reijnders

Manchester City have reached an agreement with AC Milan to sign Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders in a deal worth around €70 million (£59.4 million).

The package includes a €55 million base fee plus add-ons. Personal terms were finalised earlier in the week, and only final administrative steps remain before the move is made official. Reijnders is expected to sign a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

The 26-year-old impressed for Milan during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 15 goals across all competitions and being named Serie A’s midfielder of the season. His form drew attention from several top clubs, but City moved quickly once Kevin De Bruyne’s exit was confirmed.

With Ilkay Gundogan still regaining rhythm after his return from Barcelona, Pep Guardiola identified midfield as a priority area. Reijnders’ ability to control games, link play and drive forward with or without the ball fits neatly into Guardiola’s tactical model.

City first contacted Milan earlier in May. Despite the midfielder having recently signed a contract extension through to 2030, the Italian side were eventually persuaded to negotiate after Reijnders expressed interest in the move.

A Netherlands international since 2023, Reijnders has been capped 22 times and featured prominently in their run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. He joined Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 and has quickly established himself as a top-tier European midfielder.

He will arrive at City ahead of a busy schedule that begins with the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, before the Premier League resumes in August. City, who finished third in the league behind champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal, will be looking to reassert domestic dominance after a relatively underwhelming title defence.

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Guardiola’s midfield has already been strengthened by the January arrival of Nico Gonzalez from Porto, and Rodri’s return from injury in the closing weeks of the season provides further balance. Reijnders is expected to offer a fresh dimension, particularly in matches requiring midfield dynamism and quick progression.

His press resistance, composure in build-up play and tactical discipline make him a strong fit for City’s evolving midfield structure. An official announcement is expected soon, pending the completion of routine procedures.

Reijnders will link up with his new teammates during pre-season and could make his competitive debut in the Club World Cup.