Manchester City have agreed to sign Tijani Reijnders, a 26-year-old Dutch midfielder who has impressed in Milan. The move is valued at around €75 million, according to Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. Reijnders topped the Italians' list for the best player of the 2024/25 season and now signs for the Premier League from the Italian side, having extended his contract through until the end of the 2030 season.
It is part of a broader process of renewal of which City has been engaged quietly, but with determination. Reijnders' move shows that the club is market-aware, eager to keep the technical quality of the team at the highest possible, and willing to spend big on talent with a demonstrated capacity to produce an immediate impact.
Reijnders distinguished himself in Milan
A year ago, Reijnders starred in the middle for Milan. He netted 15 goals, added five assists, and was consistent to a point where it couldn’t be overlooked, not just for goal-scoring, but for the command he exercised in every match.
He was named the best midfielder of the 2024/25 season in the Italian league and deservedly acclaimed for his displays, despite Milan not coming into play in the fight for the league until the final moment.
However, Reijnders' departure is a blow for Milan. He was considered a cornerstone of the middle term sports project of the club. He signed a new contract until 2030 and enjoyed the support of both the board and the fans. He is one of the only, if not the only, player in the team who demonstrated consistency in different phases of the season.
It will be the most demanding of his career
This will be Reijnders' first foray into English football. The Premier League. However, Dutchman Reijnders is well equipped. He has experienced high-pressure competition, faced pressure, and shown consistency in top divisions. Adding to this, Manchester City presents the perfect backdrop for such an adaptation. There exists a strong squad, a settled coaching team, and a well-developed ethos of the game, and the atmosphere is specially suited for new overseas players to establish a foothold.