Manchester City complete Reijnders deal as Guardiola ushers in a new midfield era

Manchester City have finalised the signing of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, marking their first major acquisition of the summer. The 26-year-old midfielder has joined on a five-year contract, with the transfer fee confirmed at €55 million plus €15 million in performance-based bonuses, as reported by The Guardian and Sky Sports. The deal received the definitive "here we go" from Fabrizio Romano, signalling its completion earlier this week.

Guardiola’s midfield overhaul begins

Reijnders’ arrival comes amid a strategic reset in City’s midfield, following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne and the fading influence of İlkay Gündoğan. As Sky Sports outlined, the Dutch international is expected to provide both structure and drive in central areas, with his adaptability making him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s fluid system.

His standout campaign with Milan included a blend of positional discipline and attacking instinct that saw him voted Serie A Midfielder of the Year for the 2024–25 season. The Guardian highlighted his composure in high-pressure scenarios and his tactical intelligence as key assets City hope to exploit.

Not just numbers—moments that matter

Reijnders delivered a total of 15 direct goal contributions last season, comprising 10 goals and 5 assists across all competitions—a career-best return. Yet, for Guardiola, it’s not merely the numbers that stand out. It's his ability to affect the rhythm of a game at decisive moments—his timing, spatial intelligence, and tireless two-way work rate—that make him uniquely suited for City’s evolving tactical core.

These attributes frame Reijnders as a true dual-phase midfielder—one capable of disrupting shape, accelerating transitions, and orchestrating tempo. His role is expected to stretch beyond metrics, anchoring control in matches where margins are razor-thin.

A new blueprint after a rare trophyless season

The 2024–25 campaign ended without silverware for Manchester City—a rare stumble under Guardiola. According to The Times, this off-season represents more than just a tactical recalibration; it signals an emotional and structural reset. Reijnders is widely viewed as the first step in that shift.

He is expected to join the squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, where City face Wydad Casablanca on 18 June. With further reinforcements likely, particularly in midfield and defence, Reijnders marks not just a solution—but the start of something systemic.