Man City Agree £59m Deal for Midfield Maestro and Reaches Agreement With ‘De Bruyne’s Replacement’
According to a report by Goal, Manchester City are poised to bolster their midfield options with the acquisition of AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, as manager Pep Guardiola initiates a significant squad overhaul following a trophyless 2024–25 season.
Reijnders, a 26-year-old Dutch international, has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with City, with the transfer fee set at approximately £59 million. The midfielder enjoyed a standout season at Milan, netting 15 goals and providing five assists, earning the Serie A Midfielder of the Season accolade.
In addition to Reijnders, City have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with 21-year-old French midfielder Rayan Cherki from Lyon. Cherki, known for his creativity and flair, is seen as a potential heir to De Bruyne’s midfield role. The deal’s completion would further signify City’s commitment to rejuvenating their squad with young, talented players.
These moves align with Guardiola’s strategy to refresh the team following the departures of key veterans and to address the challenges faced in the previous season. With the Club World Cup on the horizon, City aim to integrate these new signings promptly to ensure a competitive edge in the upcoming campaign.
As negotiations progress, City supporters eagerly anticipate the official announcements, hopeful that these additions will reinvigorate the squad and restore the club’s pursuit of silverware in the 2025–26 season.
In a summer where speculation often overshadows substance, Manchester City have made a decisive move: a £59 million agreement to bring in Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan. The signing is not just a reinforcement — it’s a strategic replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, the heartbeat of City’s midfield for nearly a decade. As Pep Guardiola prepares for the next chapter in his tactical evolution, this acquisition signals more than just a transaction. It marks the beginning of a carefully managed transition of power in City’s engine room.
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The Context: End of an Era, Start of Another
Kevin De Bruyne is synonymous with Manchester City’s golden era. Since joining the club in 2015, the Belgian maestro has redefined what it means to be a modern midfielder. His vision, range of passing, tactical intelligence, and leadership made him the fulcrum of Guardiola’s side. But all eras end, and as De Bruyne enters the twilight of his career — coupled with recurring injuries — City have begun planning for a future beyond their talisman.
Enter Tijjani Reijnders. At 26, he is entering his prime years and has just completed an excellent campaign in Serie A with AC Milan. Known for his box-to-box capabilities, technical finesse, and positional discipline, Reijnders may not yet possess De Bruyne’s aura, but the raw material is there. With Guardiola’s coaching, the transformation is not just possible — it’s probable.
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The Player: Who is Tijjani Reijnders?
Reijnders’ rise has been anything but conventional. From working part-time in a supermarket as a teenager to becoming one of Europe’s most consistent midfielders, his story is one of determination, adaptability, and evolution. After moving from AZ Alkmaar to AC Milan in 2023, Reijnders made an immediate impact in Italy. He ended the 2024–25 season leading all Serie A midfielders in combined goals and assists.
Stylistically, he is a blend of energy and elegance. Comfortable in possession, tactically intelligent off the ball, and relentless in his work rate, Reijnders thrives in transitional play but also adapts to slower, possession-based systems. These traits make him tailor-made for Guardiola’s positional play model — one that demands both individual intelligence and collective discipline.
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Why This Move Makes Sense for Manchester City
For a club like Manchester City, transfers are never just about plugging gaps. They are about preserving a long-term philosophy while anticipating future challenges. In Reijnders, City see:
1. A Tactical Match
Reijnders is capable of operating as an 8 or a deep-lying playmaker. His ability to drop between lines, break the press, and progress the ball mirrors many of De Bruyne’s responsibilities. While he lacks the Belgian’s explosiveness in the final third, he compensates with a more controlled tempo — a trait Guardiola increasingly values as he balances directness with control.
2. Succession Planning
De Bruyne’s departure or role reduction was always going to be emotional and operationally complex. Rather than waiting for a crisis, City have acted preemptively. Reijnders offers continuity without creating unnecessary disruption. He can start games, rotate seamlessly, and grow into the leadership role organically.
3. Market Efficiency
In an inflated transfer market, £59 million for a player of Reijnders’ age, pedigree, and versatility is a calculated investment. Compared to the fees being floated for similarly talented midfielders, this deal reflects City’s continued ability to execute high-value transfers without succumbing to hype or urgency.
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The Guardiola Factor: Development is Destiny
What makes Manchester City’s recruitment machine elite isn’t just the scouting or the spending — it’s Pep Guardiola. Under his guidance, players are not only signed for what they are, but for what they can become. João Cancelo, Ilkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva — all arrived with clear profiles but evolved into multidimensional assets.
Reijnders’ ceiling is arguably higher than his current form shows. At Milan, he played in a system that relied on his energy and verticality. At City, he will be encouraged to slow the game down, see more of the ball, and dictate the flow. He will be asked not just to contribute, but to orchestrate.
If De Bruyne was City’s composer, Reijnders may become its conductor — not as flashy, but equally essential to harmony.
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How He Fits Into the Team
City’s midfield structure has undergone subtle changes over the past few seasons. The move to a hybrid 3-2-2-3 shape in possession allows for versatile rotations. Rodri anchors the base, while the two advanced midfielders — usually Silva and De Bruyne — operate between the lines.
Reijnders could play in either advanced role or partner Rodri in a deeper double-pivot when tactical caution is needed. His adaptability also offers an insurance policy if other midfielders leave — Bernardo Silva, for instance, remains a transfer target for multiple European clubs.
In big games, Guardiola is known for tinkering. Reijnders’ presence allows him to do so without sacrificing structure. He can press like a six, create like an eight, and cover like a tenacious utility man.
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Fan Reaction and Industry Buzz
As with most City transfers, the club executed the deal efficiently, without protracted negotiations spilling into the public. Fans have greeted the move with cautious optimism. While Reijnders may not have the name recognition of a Jude Bellingham or the explosiveness of a Jamal Musiala, those who watch football deeply know this is a footballer’s footballer — intelligent, coachable, and durable.
Pundits, too, have praised the deal. Former professionals have remarked on how Reijnders’ profile fits the modern midfield archetype, while analysts highlight his elite passing metrics, progressive carries, and ball recoveries. In many ways, this signing is a “City transfer” — more function than flash, more process than impulse.
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What This Means for the Premier League
With Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United all expected to spend heavily this summer, City’s early strike is strategic. It places them ahead of the curve and sets the tone. More importantly, it sends a message: even as they transition out of one era, City remain proactive, not reactive.
The £59 million fee also sets a new benchmark. It’s enough to reflect the player’s value, but not so high as to distort the market. City are effectively reminding their rivals that smart spending beats big spending.
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Conclusion: The Beginning of the Next Blueprint
Manchester City’s agreement to sign Tijjani Reijnders for £59 million is more than just a replacement move — it’s the beginning of a new midfield blueprint. De Bruyne will forever be a legend at the Etihad, but the system must evolve. And if City’s track record under Guardiola tells us anything, it’s that evolution is not a threat — it’s a necessity.
Reijnders may not have been the most glamorous name in the window, but he might end up being the most significant. Because when Manchester City sign a player, they rarely just buy talent — they invest in transformation.
And this time, they’ve found the perfect piece to begin the next era of midfield mastery.
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