Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are going to have a busy transfer window following a sub-par season, and they may have just found their first player to help them return to the top.
By Manchester City’s standards, it has been a poor season for them after failing to win the Premier League or Champions League, with their place in Europe’s biggest competition next season still not confirmed.
The Citizens do have an FA Cup final to look forward to against Crystal Palace on 17 May, although they will have one eye on the upcoming transfer window as they look to regain their place at the pinnacle of English football.
Kevin De Bruyne has already announced his departure this summer after 10 years at the club, meaning that a big void needs filling, but Pep Guardiola may have just found the man whose versatility could be indispensable.
Man City interested in Tijjani Reijnders
A midfield overhaul is likely to occur and according to David Ornstein, AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders is a player that Man City will be hoping to see don the sky blue shirt next season.
Although there is no formal offer as of yet, Man City have expressed interest in the 26-year-old and contacted the Rossoneri regarding his availability, suggesting Guardiola would like his business done early in the window.
This is likely to tie in with the new-look FIFA Club World Cup that begins on June 15th, with teams looking to increase squad depth ahead of their most action-packed season to date.
The Dutchman has also registered some impressive stats from midfield this season after netting 15 times and assisting a further five, a key indication as to why he is wanted by the eight-time Premier League champions.
Reijnders has a N’Golo Kante-esque quality
Despite his attacking talent and what he can add to Man City in the final third, Reijnders’ versatility and style of play means he can bring much more to the squad, with his performances sharing similarities with what the Premier League has witnessed before in N’Golo Kante.
His running stats are nothing short of sensational, with the Dutchman running on average just over 12 kilometres a game, the highest of any player in the AC Milan squad.
| AC Milan Player | Total KM Ran (per game) |
| Tijjani Reijnders | 12.383 |
| Davide Calabria | 11.639 |
| Rade Krunic | 11.584 |
| Theo Hernandez | 10.606 |
| Malick Thiaw | 10.259 |
His versatility to play anywhere in midfield also makes him an eye-watering prospect under Guardiola, with the former AZ Alkmaar player already showing his capabilities in the Champions League and European Championships.
Man City have also targeted Morgan Gibbs-White and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, although both would likely come at a much higher price.
As the games will come thick and fast next season, Reijnders’ engine could be exactly what Manchester City need as they look to bounce back, and it is no surprise that they have set their sights on the 26-year-old.
The post Pep Guardiola may be bringing N’Golo Kante 2.0 to Man City next season appeared first on HITC.
