Guardiola kickstarts summer rebuild with the signing of Serie A’s top midfielder
Manchester City are wasting no time in reshaping their squad for the post-De Bruyne era. The Premier League giants have reportedly agreed a £59 million deal to sign AC Milan’s dynamic midfield star Tijjani Reijnders, with personal terms already wrapped up and final paperwork on the verge of completion.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Reijnders is now “set” to join Pep Guardiola’s squad in a move that could reshape City’s midfield for years to come.
From San Siro to the Etihad: Reijnders’ Meteoric Rise
Reijnders’ journey from Eredivisie prospect to Milan heartbeat and now Premier League-bound playmaker has been nothing short of impressive. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout season with AC Milan, scoring 15 goals across all competitions, a career-best tally that earned him the 2024–25 Serie A Midfielder of the Year award.
His evolution into an elite box-to-box operator, capable of dictating tempo, piercing lines with his runs, and contributing goals, made him one of Europe’s hottest properties. For Guardiola, who has built dynasties around cerebral midfielders, Reijnders seems like a tailor-made signing.
“He brings verticality, control, and timing,” said a Serie A analyst. “Think of him as a blend of Ilkay Gundogan’s intelligence and Yaya Touré’s drive. He won’t just fill a hole; he’ll open new dimensions for City.”
A New Era Without De Bruyne
This move carries particular weight following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure, ending a golden chapter for Manchester City. The Belgian’s influence over a decade was irreplaceable in pure quality, but Guardiola isn’t aiming for a clone. Instead, he’s pivoting toward a more fluid, dynamic system in which Reijnders’ high-energy pressing and spatial awareness could be the key cog.
With Ilkay Gundogan not fully rediscovering his City rhythm after a Barcelona return and Jack Grealish’s future in doubt, Reijnders could find himself immediately thrust into the heart of City’s tactical engine.
The Bigger Picture: City’s Transfer Machine Roars On
Reijnders is likely just the first domino to fall in what looks like an aggressive rebuild. Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak promised a refreshed squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, and City have already targeted reinforcements in both midfield and defense.
Names like Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolves) and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz have been floated, although City reportedly cooled on Wirtz due to cost concerns.
In January, the club splashed £180 million on emerging talents such as Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico González, and Omar Marmoush, signaling that youth and longevity are now just as important as star power.
Guardiola, however, remains firm on one point: he won’t oversee an oversized squad.
“As a manager, I cannot train 24 players and then leave six of them home every weekend,” Guardiola said. “I told the club I don’t want that.”
What Reijnders Brings to City
- 15 goals in 2024–25, a statement year offensively
- Awarded Serie A’s Best Midfielder
- Tactical flexibility, capable of playing as an 8, 10, or deep-lying playmaker
- Known for press resistance, engine, and intelligent off-ball movement
- Dreamt of the Premier League since childhood: “You dream of that as a little boy,” he told Voetbal International
Final Whistle
With City set to begin a new chapter, Reijnders’ arrival feels like more than just a signing. It’s a signal of intent. The champions may have relinquished their crown in 2024–25, but the machine is being rebuilt faster, smarter, and stronger.