Tijjani Reijnders offers insight into what he will bring to Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City can expect to have a box-to-box midfielder in their ranks from next season as Tijjani Reijnders completed a long-term switch from AC Milan.

The recently-crowned Serie A midfielder of the season has become the fourth and final Manchester City signing before the FIFA Club World Cup, and alongside the other new arrivals will star in the United States later this month.

Manchester City have acted with intent this summer to get their business done early and ensure that they have reacted to a disappointing last campaign, with a quartet of signings made by the end of the initial short transfer window.

Rayan Ait-Nouri bolstered defence with his arrival as a new left-back from Wolves, followed by a direct replacement for Scott Carson as Marcus Bettinelli joined from Chelsea, with Rayan Cherki making it a trio on deadline day with his switch from Lyon.

However, Tijjani Reijnders’ deal was actually finalised over the course of the weekend, with the package of content around his signing unveiled to supporters on Wednesday morning ahead of the flight to the United States this week.

Speaking during his first media commitments as a Manchester City player this week, Reijnders was keen to issue his excitement at the prospect of working directly alongside head coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

“It’s a great chance for me,” the Dutchman admitted. “I’ve followed him since he was coaching Barcelona with Lionel Messi. How he played there and how he brought it here is something that made me really excited to play for Manchester City.”

There is also a clear intention to become a huge success at the club, particularly through the winning of silverware as Reijnders said of his aspirations, “For sure, to develop myself as a midfielder – to be an even more complete midfielder.

“Football is about winning prizes, and I hope to win as many prizes as possible here with Manchester City.”

But what can Manchester City fans expect from their latest addition into the centre of midfield? The 26-year-old has issued an overview of his own playing style and the sort of game he hopes to bring to English football under Pep Guardiola.

“Everybody knows how Manchester City is playing in general with the playing style,” the former AC Milan man admitted. “Being dominant on the pitch against opponents and playing attacking football. That’s what suits me the best.”

He continued, “I’m like a box-to-box midfielder who likes to join the build-up from the back and eventually to feed attackers and create chances. Also trying to score goals by myself sometimes.”

It remains to be seen whether the signing of Tijjani Reijnders could directly impact any existing members of Pep Guardiola’s side in the way of their club futures, with ongoing doubts over the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.

The former saw his contract extended through until the end of next season, and has consistently informed reporters of his belief that he will remain in sky blue and white during the upcoming campaign.

One of the players more likely to find their way out of the squad is Jack Grealish, who is not expected to be part of Manchester City’s travelling squad confirmed for the FIFA Club World Cup this week as he and the club look to find a fresh opportunity for the Englishman.