Manchester City are heading towards their most crucial summer transfer window, arguably since the arrival of Pep Guardiola in 2016.
Having been at Man City for more than nine years now, Pep Guardiola has a lot to be proud of. But his City side are facing growing criticism from fans and pundits for their dogged form of late.
The wheels have steadily fallen off this ageing side. Man City are tipped to overhaul the playing squad in the summer and there’ll be some big name player departures at the Etihad, with Kevin De Bruyne looking likely to leave.
The Belgian out of contract in the summer and his exit will mark the start of a new-look City side, with the likes of John Stones also tipped to leave Man City in the summer.
Guardiola will target younger, fresher players who he can rebuild the next City squad around. In particular, the midfield department looks set for an overhaul with De Bruyne and also Ilkay Gundogan’s future at Man City uncertain.
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Man City identify AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders as summer target
One name who Guardiola fancies as part of his City overhaul is AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders. A Dutch international and teammate of City centre-back Nathan Ake, Reijnders has enjoyed a fruitful season in Serie A with eight goals and two assists in 24 games for the Rossoneri.
An emerging report from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf has revealed that, after signing a new contract until the summer of 2030 at the San Siro, Reijnders has interest from Barcelona and Man City who have both ‘expressed their interest’ in the central midfielder.
AC Milan signed Reijnders from Dutch side AZ in 2023 for a reported fee of €20.5million (£16.6million). Since then the 20-cap Dutch international has made 88 total appearances for Milan, scoring 16 goals and assisting seven more.
The latest on Ilkay Gundogan’s Man City future amid exit links
Reijnders, who Dutch national team boss Ronald Koeman described as a ‘super complete midfielder’, could well be eyed up as a direct replacement for the 34-year-old Gundogan at the Etihad, amid rumours that he could be leaving.
And Manchester City News recently revealed that Gundogan wants to play for Galatasaray before his career is over. He remains out of contract in the summer but City can extend his stay by a further year.
For City, a move for Reijnders might not come about until the situations regarding Gundogan and De Bruyne are clearer. But it looks as though Guardiola is certainly putting the feelers out for a new and exciting central midfielder at Man City.
City return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
