Manchester City confident of £55m deal with talks underway as 23-year-old eyed for key position

Manchester City’s transfer window has already got off to a quick start with the departure of midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. It means that City are likely to rebuild in midfield this summer.

Ahead of the Club World Cup starting in less than two weeks, City will see a return of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in midfield, however, Pep Guardiola will still aim to replace De Bruyne and Gundogan this summer.

They have been linked with a Serie A midfielder, who has previously been described as ‘among the best in the world’, and reports are now saying that Manchester City are close to securing the signing.

Manchester City in talks to sign Reijnders

AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City this summer, and it seems that he could become the club’s first signing, ahead of the Club World Cup.

Reijnders plays as a versatile centre-midfielder who can play in both an attacking and defensive role, making him a superb replacement for Gundogan, who excelled as an all-rounder in Guardiola’s midfield.

According to RMC Sport correspondent Sacha Tavolieri, City are ‘in talks’ to sign Reijnders, and are hoping to complete a deal within two weeks ahead of the Club World Cup.

He posted on X: “Talks are still underway between Milan AC and Manchester City for Tijjani Reijnders with Citizens officials’ confidence increasing for a deal around €65M (£55m) deal to be closed in the next weeks. Guardiola wants Reijnders for Club World Cup and Reijnders expecting clubs agreement to complete the move.”

The £55m transfer fee is reportedly enough to bring the 26-year-old Dutchman to the Etihad this summer. He made 37 Serie A appearances this season, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists for AC Milan.

Reijnders’ former manager Pascal Jansen, who coached the midfielder at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar believes that the midfielder is up there with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Rodri.

He said to Gazetta Dello Sport: “For me, Reijnders is among the best in the world. Right now, perhaps only Rodri and Bellingham are ahead of him, but he can surpass them.”

Who else could Manchester City sign in midfield

The Cityzens have been linked to two more midfielders this summer, both of which are likely to replace De Bruyne as they play more attacking, creative roles for their respective teams.

Firstly, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has been linked with a move to the Etihad this summer after scoring seven goals and providing eight assists for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the Premier League this season.

A deal for the England international is expected to amount to around £70m, a hefty fee. But aged just 25, Gibbs-White is entering his prime years, and could provide City with some much-needed creativity in midfield.

Furthermore, City are leading the race for Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki, who plays as more of a wide midfielder for the French side. He is expected to cost just £25m, despite the fact that he scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in Ligue 1 this season.

Man City also targeting Premier League defender

Reijnders isn’t the only player who City are looking to add before the Club World Cup as they are also looking to bring in a defender who can help to fill the void that Guardiola has had at left back for the past couple of seasons.

According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester City are pursuing a deal to sign Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer. The 23-year-old made 37 Premier League appearances for Wolves this season, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.

Ornstein posted on X: “Manchester City pursuing deal to sign Rayan Ait Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Agreements still need to be reached with Wolves & Algeria international - but all parties now expect move to happen. 23yo is Man City’s main target for left-back.”

In other news, Man Utd and Man City incredible 10-year transfer net spend compared to Premier League rivals as window opens.