Pep Guardiola is very keen to strengthen his midfield this summer.
The 2024/25 campaign was a very tough one for the legendary coach at Man City as the Manchester club went trophyless and were made to wait to secure Champions League football for next season until the final day.
The injury to Rodri at the start of the season played a big role in this, and it exposed the weaknesses in the current City midfield, which Guardiola is keen to address before the 2025/26 campaign gets underway.
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders is one of Man City’s top targets, and it is being reported that the Manchester club are now ready to go after the Dutch midfielder.
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images
Man City to bid short for AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders
It was reported this week that Man City are willing to pay a fee of around £62.9m to £67.1m for Reijnders, which is a bid Milan would certainly agree to.
However, that is not the approach the Manchester club plans to take, as according to Dean Jones, City are ready to go for Reijnders but are initially expected to bid short of AC Milan’s valuation for the player, which is said to be around £55m.
More Man City News
With Man City willing to pay more for Reijnders, this is not a risky approach from the Premier League club, but it could see the Manchester outfit land the midfielder for a little less than they initially expected.
That would be useful in helping them recruit other stars this summer, as the Dutch midfielder is not the only player Guardiola plans to add to his options for the middle of the park.
Man City’s other midfield targets
With Kevin De Bruyne set to leave Man City this summer, the Premier League giants have been in the market for a new number 10, with Guardiola liking Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
The Manchester club have not yet submitted an official offer for the Englishman, but that may come soon now that the Premier League season has been wrapped up.
In addition to Forest star, Man City are also interested in Club Brugge midfielder and Belgian Pro League Player of the Year, Ardon Jashari.
The 22-year-old is likely an alternative option should Man City miss out on Reijnders, as both players operate in similar areas, although the Swiss star is more defensive-minded.
Man City’s midfield will look a lot different next season, and the revamp Guardiola is set to carry out in this area of his squad could have a big impact on the future of the Manchester club.