Man City have confirmed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani ReijndersMan City have confirmed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders
Man City have confirmed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders | Manchester City
Manchester City have added a fourth summer signing to their squad ahead of the Club World Cup.
Man City have completed the signing of AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders for an initial fee of £46.5 million. The midfielder has become their fourth signing of the summer window and is eligible to feature for City in the revamped Club World Cup competition next week.
Pep Guardiola prioritised the addition of a central midfielder this summer to help the club in their efforts to replace Kevin De Bruyne. Reijnders, 26, scored 15 goals in 54 matches for Milan last season and was also named the Serie A midfielder of the season.
It looks to be another smart piece of business from City, who have managed to sign four players for a total of £108 million, less than the reported £127 million asking price Bayer Leverkusen demanded for Florian Wirtz. City could hand debuts to Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki when they face Wydad FC on 18 June, before further group fixtures against Al Ain and Juventus.
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Reijnders relishes Guardiola guidance
Tijjani Reijnders might already be one of the finest midfielders in European football, but he believes he can get even better under the guidance of Pep Guardiola next season. The Dutch international will look to hit the ground running at the Club World Cup this summer and he can't wait to settle into his new surroundings.
“It’s a great chance for me,” he said after signing. “I’ve followed him since he was coaching Barcelona with Lionel Messi. How he played there and how he brought it here is something that made me really excited to play for Manchester City."
Quizzed on his personal ambitions for his time in Manchester, he gave a rather simple answer: "For sure, to develop myself as a midfielder – to be an even more complete midfielder. Football is about winning prizes, and I hope to win as many prizes as possible here with Manchester City.
“Everybody knows how Manchester City is playing in general with the playing style. Being dominant on the pitch against opponents and playing attacking football. That’s what suits me the best. I’m like a box-to-box midfielder who likes to join the build-up from the back and eventually to feed attackers and create chances. Also trying to score goals by myself sometimes.”
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