Tijjani Reijnders is very close to officially becoming a Manchester City player.
The Dutch star was one of Pep Guardiola’s top targets heading into the summer transfer window as the legendary coach plans to revamp his midfield ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Everything is now in place for Man City to officially announce Reijnders as a new player in Guardiola’s squad, as it was reported on Wednesday that all areas have been agreed upon between the Premier League club and AC Milan for the 26-year-old.
Reijnders is one of the stars tasked with replacing Kevin De Bruyne at Man City ahead of the new season, and the Dutch midfielder may be the perfect man to do so, as the Milan star has revealed that his Dad made him watch the Belgian superstar on his way up in the sport.
Photo by Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Tijjani Reijnders learned how Kevin De Bruyne scanned the field
Reijnders has previously admitted that De Bruyne is his idol, which is a shame, as the Dutch star came so close to playing alongside him at Man City had the Belgian been offered a new contract by the Manchester club.
Nevertheless, the AC Milan star has done his best to learn from the 33-year-old from the outside, with the Netherlands international now admitting that his dad once told him to watch how the Man City legend scans the field before he receives the ball.
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“I learned a lot from how he (De Bruyne) scans the area before he gets the ball,” Reijnders told Voetbalzone. “My father pointed that out to me, and from then on, I really started paying attention to it with him.
“When you look ahead, you give yourself so much more time. I apply that to every game now. De Bruyne is a great player. When you look at Manchester City, I think the first thing you look at is De Bruyne.”
Reijnders has already been speaking to Nathan Ake about moving to Man City as the Dutch star will be keen to hit the ground running at the Etihad Stadium.
City fans can expect to see the 26-year-old in action for the first time during the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Milan star has told supporters what to expect.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Tijjani Reijnders describes his own game
Reijnders is the perfect midfielder for Man City as the Dutch star can do everything and will add the physicality Guardiola missed in his team last year following Rodri’s long-term injury.
The 26-year-old has described his game to Voetbalzone, and Man City fans will be delighted with what the Milan star said.
“I think I am a modern midfielder. I am a box-to-box player and that is what you need in modern football,” Reijnders said. “And I am always fit, which is also an advantage. Fortunately, I have always remained that way, and I hope to keep it that way for as long as possible.”
Being available for selection every week is one of the most underrated traits in football, but it is one that every top player has.
Seeing Reijnders in a Guardiola team should excite every football fan as the Dutch star is already a top player, and the legendary coach is very likely to push him to another level.