City’s Transfer Coup
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for £50m (€59m), beating rivals Manchester United and Chelsea to the 26-year-old Dutch international. Reijnders, who signed a five-year contract worth £200,000-a-week, joins in time for the Club World Cup, starting June 14, 2025. The deal, including add-ons for performance clauses, marks City’s fourth summer signing, pushing their recent spending past £100m, following Rayan Ait-Nouri (£36.3m), Rayan Cherki (£34m), and Marcus Bettinelli.
Reijnders’ Role and Rivals’ Loss
Pep Guardiola targeted Reijnders as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to join Napoli. Reijnders, named Serie A’s Midfielder of the Season (2024/25) with 15 goals and 5 assists in 54 games, brings versatility, playing as a No. 8 or deeper midfielder. His ability to beat presses (205 shot-ending passages, 49 secondary chances created) suits Guardiola’s system. Manchester United, seeking midfield energy under Ruben Amorim, and Chelsea, eyeing alternatives to Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, missed out, with City’s swift move and financial muscle proving decisive.
Reijnders’ Excitement
Reijnders expressed his thrill at joining City: “I’m ecstatic to sign for Manchester City. They’re one of the biggest teams, with the best coach and world-class players. Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles, and I want to keep that going. Playing in the Premier League, where Dutch greats have shone, is a dream come true.” His 23 Netherlands caps and Euro 2024 semi-final experience add pedigree to City’s midfield, weakened by Mateo Kovacic’s Achilles injury and De Bruyne’s exit.
What’s Next?
Reijnders could debut against Wydad FC on June 18 at the Club World Cup, where City aim to rebound from a trophyless 2024/25 (third in the Premier League). United, now focusing on Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, and Chelsea, targeting Ajax or Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, must regroup before the transfer window reopens June 16. City’s £293.1m spending in 2025, including winter signings like Omar Marmoush, signals their ambition. On X, fans (@ManCity) hail Reijnders’ signing, while United and Chelsea supporters lament missed opportunities.
