Manchester City Could Turn to Milan Star if De Bruyne and Silva Depart | OneFootball

Reijnders at the Centre of Man City’s Midfield Revolution

Manchester City’s midfield, once the blueprint for dominance, now faces an identity crisis. Pep Guardiola’s side may be Premier League champions, but cracks have formed in the engine room. With Ilkay Gündoğan gone and key figures ageing, attention has turned sharply to rejuvenation.

According to Football Insider, Guardiola has identified Tijjani Reijnders as a primary summer target. The Dutch midfielder, currently at AC Milan, represents the energetic, progressive presence City have sorely missed this season. However, luring him from San Siro won’t be straightforward.

“Tijjani Reijnders will only sign for Manchester City this summer if they can free up space in their squad and shell out a £50million transfer fee, sources have told Football Insider.”

New Contract Hurdle for Reijnders Deal

Reijnders has recently inked a new contract with AC Milan, complicating any Etihad move. While the deal lacks a release clause, Milan will be in no rush to sell unless City meet their valuation.

“City have identified Reijnders as a top target as Pep Guardiola looks to overhaul his squad at the Etihad Stadium, but the midfielder signing a new contract at AC Milan will complicate any potential pursuit.”

Guardiola must now make room in both squad and budget. As Football Insider revealed, this will likely mean letting go of several current first-team stars.

“Guardiola will therefore need to stump a fee of at least £50m if the Blues are to get any deal over the line for Reijnders, and that pursuit will only be able to happen if he first offloads some existing City players.”

End of an Era for City Midfield Legends?

Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic are all reportedly in the frame to leave. All three have entered their thirties, and their exits may accelerate a full-scale rebuild.

“Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider that De Bruyne is one key player who could be on the move this summer, potentially opening the door for Reijnders’ arrival.”

“Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva could join De Bruyne in heading for the exit door with all three having entered their thirties, and after a heavy January outlay, it remains to be seen how much Guardiola will have to spend this summer.”

Guardiola’s midfield might be unrecognisable next season. Though the January additions of Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez offer a glimpse of what’s coming, they’ve yet to fully assume first-team roles.

“Silva, Kovacic and De Bruyne may all be past their best, but the trio all departing in one fell swoop will leave a sizeable gap to fill in the engine room – one which even Reijnders can’t fulfil on his own.”

Search for World-Class Quality Continues

Manchester City’s recruitment team aren’t putting all their eggs in the Reijnders basket. The club have also been “linked with an approach for Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri”, though such a move appears more long-term than instant fix.

Reijnders, at 25, represents the perfect balance – experienced, composed, and technically sharp. If City want to maintain their edge domestically and in Europe, securing his services may prove essential.

As Football Insider noted: “Although it’ll be by no means easy to pluck Reijnders away from San Siro this summer, City doing so would provide the first step in a long-overdue rebuilding of Guardiola’s midfield at the Etihad Stadium.”

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Expectant Manchester City supporters will view this potential move with both excitement and realism. The idea of Tijjani Reijnders anchoring a newly shaped midfield is thrilling – he’s dynamic, carries the ball well and can dictate tempo with maturity beyond his years.

Yet, it’s not just about one player. The likely exits of De Bruyne, Silva, and Kovacic represent the end of an era. Replacing that trio in a single window would be ambitious, if not risky. The concern is not whether Reijnders can fit in – most fans believe he can – but whether he can cope with the pressure of becoming the focal point in midfield overnight.

The quotes around De Bruyne’s future are particularly jarring: “De Bruyne was on the radar of teams in the MLS, as well as the Saudi Pro League.” For many City fans, that sentence feels like the final chapter of a generational talent’s time in Manchester.

In truth, the rebuild has already started, but Reijnders may be the headline act. The summer ahead promises to be fascinating, perhaps unsettling, but undoubtedly vital if City are to stay ahead in a league evolving faster than ever.