Manchester City make contact with AC Milan to express interest in central midfielder | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have made formal contact with AC Milan to express interest in Netherlands international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain are currently in the process of finalising their shortlists for a number of positions in Pep Guardiola’s squad that they believe require investment after a largely disappointing campaign.

Among the roles that are likely to come under the microscope in the coming weeks are goalkeeper, right-sided full-back, and the creative attacking midfield position in light of Kevin De Bruyne’s exit after 10 years at the club.

However, after a season that any believe Manchester City have lacked legs in the middle of the park where versatility is also required, there is expected to be a desire to bring in a new number eight to operate between defensive midfield and attack.

That comes despite City’s investment in FC Porto’s Nico Gonzalez during the January transfer window, when the Spaniard arrived at deadline day to conclude a long-standing admiration from Etihad chiefs since his days starring for Barcelona.

The intent to invest once more in a similar role has led City towards the profile of Tijjani Reijnders in Serie A, who will enter the off-season fresh off the back of a standout campaign in Italian football.

And Manchester City are keen to capitalise as, according to the information of The Athletic’s David Ornstein and James Horncastle, they have now contacted AC Milan to express their interest in signing Reijnders.

It is clarified that talks over a deal for the 26-year-old are at an ‘early stage’ and a formal offer is yet to be sent by City, who are said to be ‘mindful’ of Milan’s focus being firmly on this week’s Coppa Italia final against Bologna.

However, it is stressed that when dialogue between the two clubs does resume over the player, Manchester City are hopeful that an agreement can be reached to recruit the Dutchman ahead of the new season.

Reijnders is reported to be a key target for Manchester City in order to bolster the ‘number eight’ position in midfield, and is also independent to interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

Many expect the midfield roles, both centrally and creatively, to be the priority for Manchester City this summer, before club officials turn their attentions to right-sided full-back where a number of players are being considered.

In Brazil, City are understood to be monitoring Flamengo’s Wesley, while closer to home there is also interest in Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso and Nicola Savona, as well as Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.

Other signings could hinge on the number of exits from the existing playing squad, with Porto’s Diogo Costa a name that has been mentioned in the event that Ederson secures an exit with Saudi Arabia monitoring the Etihad’s long-standing number one goalkeeper.