Manchester City are determined to lure Tijjani Reijnders to the Etihad Stadium and have decided they are prepared to put a lucrative contract on the table in an attempt to convince him to complete a switch from AC Milan when the transfer window reopens for business, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Kevin De Bruyne has made his final appearance in a Sky Blues shirt, with the Belgian due to leave when his £400,000-per-week deal expires at the end of next month, and that has resulted in boss Pep Guardiola being eager to bolster his options in the middle of the park following a season which saw his side miss out on major silverware.
Having cooled their interest in Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, Manchester City have set their sights on spending a significant portion of their summer budget on luring Reijnders to the Premier League for the first time in his career as they aim to boost their chances of adding to their trophy cabinet next term.
Sky Blues Aim to Persuade Reijnders to Move
Central midfielder would be on similar terms to Nunes and Kovacic
Tijjani Reijnders celebrating after scoring for AC Milan
Manchester City are expected to offer Reijnders a huge pay rise in a bid to persuade him to make the move from AC Milan, according to GMS sources, with influential figures behind the scenes willing to hand him a £130,000-per-week contract which would put him on similar terms to Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic.
The central midfielder is currently on a deal which allows him to pocket less than £75,000 every seven days after triggering bonuses at AC Milan, leading to there being hope at the Etihad Stadium that they will be able to turn his head by giving him the opportunity to earn considerably more if he embarks on a fresh challenge.
GMS sources have been informed that Manchester City are progressing their pursuit of Reijnders, who enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign in his current surroundings, and there is optimism that the chance to join Guardiola's charges will prove too difficult for him to resist ahead of next term.
Tijjani Reijnders' statistics for AC Milan this season
The Netherlands international has become a firm fan favourite at the San Siro, resulting in AC Milan supporters protesting against his potential departure, but the Sky Blues are eager to get the deal over the line before jetting off to the United States for the fast-approaching Club World Cup.
Guardiola wants to sign Reijnders as well as another creative midfielder during the summer transfer window, GMS sources have learned, and there is a desire to bag both targets for the same price as they would have been forced to pay in order to win the race for Wirtz's signature.
Reijnders Price Tag Could be Stumbling Block
Plans made to open bidding at less than current employers' demands
Tijjani Reijnders in action for AC Milan
GMS sources have been told that Reijnders' price tag could prove to be a major stumbling block for Manchester City as they are planning to start the bidding closer to the £50million mark despite being aware that AC Milan are seeking £65million after he has remained one of the first names on the team sheet.
Having been described as 'complete' by Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, the 26-year-old has been earmarked by Guardiola and other key figures behind the scenes as an option who could aid the Sky Blues' push to regain the Premier League crown during the 2025/26 campaign.
It remains to be seen how AC Milan will feel about Manchester City opening negotiations, but GMS sources understand that his admirers are determined to persuade him to move onto pastures new by pushing a contract worth close to double what he currently earns into his direction in the coming weeks.
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GMS sources recently revealed that Jack Grealish could head in the opposite direction, with the Serie A heavyweights pinpointing him as a potential summer recruit as they go in search of fresh creativity, meaning there may be lengthy negotiations with the Sky Blues as preparations are made for next season.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 27/05/2025
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