Manchester City reportedly reached an agreement for a £58.9m transfer of a new midfielder to replace Ilkay Gundogan.
A New Recruit in Sight for Manchester City's Midfield
Manchester City is poised to bring in Tijjani Reijnders to the Etihad Stadium, as a deal seems to be in the works. Pep Guardiola's side, who fell short of expectations last season, is in dire need of fresh faces, particularly in the midfield.
A Promising Midfield Reinforcement
City is set to close the chapter on Kevin de Bruyne's decade-long tenure as he departs as a free agent, and the team struggled to generate a significant number of goals from a wary Phil Foden last campaign. As a stop-gap solution, Ilkay Gundogan was welcomed back from Barcelona, but his age (he turns 35 in October) suggests a short stay in midfield.
Enter Tijjani Reijnders, a 26-year-old Milan midfielder who appears set to fill the role once occupied by Gundogan with distinction during his initial spell at the club. Reijnders boasts a similar skill-set, excelling in any central midfield role and contributing goals and assists regularly. This season, he bagged ten goals and provided three assists in Serie A games for Milan, as well as scoring three goals in ten Champions League outings.
The Perfect Fit, On and Off the Field
Reijnders' statistical profile has caught the eyes of experts, with FBRef's scouting reports pointing out that his most comparable player is none other than European Cup-winning captain, Ilkay Gundogan. Neither player is noted for their defensive contributions, but they both excel in carrying the ball forward in attack-building moves, finishing them off with goals.
Such a move could be exactly what Manchester City needs to revitalize their midfield and turn things around, offering a like-for-like replacement with more longevity and energy in the engine room.
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Reports now suggest that the transfer fee between City and Milan has been verbally agreed upon, with figures around €70m (approximately £58.9m) inclusive of add-ons [1][2]. Personal terms have already been agreed upon with Reijnders as well, leaving only the formalities to be sorted [1][2]. Stay tuned for more updates on this potential blockbuster transfer!
Sources:[1] Gianluca Di Marzio[2] Fabrizio Romana[3] Sky Sports[4] ESPN[5] Transfer Market Web
Tijjani Reijnders, a 26-year-old midfielder currently at Milan, is reportedly set to join Manchester City, potentially filling the void left by Ilkay Gundogan in the midfield. His skillset and performance data have been compared to that of Gundogan, making him a promising reinforcement for Pep Guardiola's side, particularly as they seek to revitalize their midfield after a less-than-satisfactory season.
