Looking to rebuild an ageing midfield, Manchester City have now reportedly made contact to sign a Serie A star with sporting director Hugo Viana hoping to secure his signature this summer.
Man City set to kick-start summer rebuild
The Premier League already received a glimpse of what Manchester City's rebuild may look like in the January transfer window when the Citizens welcomed the likes of Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov. Now, six months on, the Manchester club could seriously step things up. With a Kevin de Bruyne-shaped hole to fill, the rumours have already been coming thick and fast.
De Bruyne Premier League stats Man City
Names such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz have both been mentioned, with a move for the former looking particularly likely to take place when the summer arrives. Following an excellent season at Nottingham Forest, the midfield star has earned the attraction of those at The Etihad, who are primed to make their move in the coming months.
florian-wirtz-bayer-leverkusen
If there were any doubts that Manchester City needed a rebuild, then their recent 0-0 draw against relegated Southampton should have acted as a timely reminder. The Saints were on course to match Derby County's record low points tally in the Premier League before the most unexpected point saw them avoid embarrassment.
After a frustrating afternoon, City boss Pep Guardiola went against Ruben Dias' criticism of Southampton's defensive approach, telling reporters: "They can do whatever they want.
Gvardiol-Nunes-Man-City Related
[Big Nunes upgrade: Man City considering move for "outstanding" £40m star](https://www.footballfancast.com/massive-nunes-upgrade-man-city-considering-signing-tino-livramento/ "Big Nunes upgrade: Man City considering move for "outstanding" £40m star")
Manchester City are in the market to sign a new right-back this summer, to replace Matheus Nunes, with an "outstanding" PL star "under consideration".
"For many years here, we faced teams in different approaches, and they decided they have to play. It's on us to break them. In those terms, many times teams have played five in the back or six and the striker has gone on our holding midfielder and there's no space, it's difficult.
"You have to break it, and we had the chances. When you review the chances for nothing, we could not score and it happened. Now we prepare the [FA Cup] final and now it is next time and Fulham."
Man City open talks to sign Reijnders
Away from their frustration on the pitch, meanwhile, the Citizens have pushed on with their summer rebuild. According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Manchester City have now made contact to sign Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and whilst there is yet to be a formal offer, talks have begun and Viana is hoping to get a deal done this summer.
It would certainly be a statement opening for the new sporting director to sign such a talent, especially if Manchester City then go on and rebuild their midfield even further with the likes of Gibbs-White and Wirtz. In three swift moves, Guardiola's side could be back to their dominant best.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) Tijjani Reijnders Ilkay Gundogan Kevin de Bruyne
Minutes 2,948 2,050 1,628
Goals 10 0 4
Assists 4 5 7
Ball Recoveries 110 105 63
Once dubbed an "immense" signing for AC Milan by U23 scout Antonio Mango, all signs are pointing towards Reijnders becoming equally impressive if he decides to join Manchester City this summer. In a summer of change at The Etihad, the Dutchman could be the start of a much-needed midfield rebuild.