Major bad news for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s dream midfield target has just signed a new contract

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In the summer, an area of the squad Manchester City will be keen to strengthen is their midfield.

Pep Guardiola might be on board with such a recruitment strategy, considering none of his midfielders have really stepped up to the plate this season.

Gary Lineker questioned Kevin De Bruyne’s athleticism and made the same comments about Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan — who are all aged 30 or above.

Mateo Kovacic, 30 has not had his best season as well but replacing Rodri as the number six for Manchester City was always going to be a tall task for the Croatian.

Tony Cascarino slammed Phil Foden as “unrecognisable” this season as well and perhaps fairly so, as the Englishman has failed to kick on from the previous campaign where he was in the form of his life.

City brought in Nico Gonzalez, 23 on deadline day to freshen up their squad and also lower the age profile.

Gonzalez is only settling in and it is too early to judge him.

Manchester City were interested in Tijjani Reijnders, 26 from AC Milan as well, who is one of Europe’s best central midfielders.

Manchester City target Tijjani Reijnders signs new AC Milan contract

But City have been dealt a major blow as Reijnders has signed a contract extension with Milan.

The Dutch international has extended his contract until 2030, committing his long-term future to AC Milan.

Pep Guardiola personally wanted to sign Reijnders and the latest news about his future will be a devastating blow for the Catalan boss.

Guardiola believed that the AC Milan technician would be the ideal player to maintain the “high standards” of his midfield.

However, even when the links emerged last year, Manchester City had not particularly taken any big steps to sign Reijnders and furthermore, his sights were always set on signing a contract extension.

Who Manchester City could sign after failed Tijjani Reijnders move

Reijnders’ sublime technique, ability to carry the ball at will and defensive intelligent would have suited this Manchester City but what’s done is done now.

From the Sky Blues’ point of view, it is time to move on and look at the other midfield targets they could sign.

Manchester City have approached Florian Wirtz to sign him and they will be hoping that he agrees to a move to England.

Another young midfielder Manchester City are interested in is Xavi Simons but Liverpool are leading the race to sign him.

Manchester City were keen on Atalanta’s Ederson and while they chose not to pursue his signature in January, whether they re-ignite their interest in the summer remains to be seen but looks entirely possible. Regardless of who City sign, what looks guaranteed after the winter transfer window is that they will not rest on their laurels in the sumer.