Tijjani Reijnders names Manchester City star as inspiration with transfer interest growing | OneFootball

Manchester City have a growing interest in AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, who this week has admitted to one of Pep Guardiola’s star players being an inspiration in his game.

The Netherlands international is believed to be a priority target for Etihad Stadium bosses, who are understood to have already registered their interest in the player with his current employers at AC Milan.

Manchester City have been understanding of the Italian giants’ remaining games this season and particularly the Coppa Italia Final defeat to Bologna on Wednesday night, but remain keen to submit their opening offer for the 26-year-old in the coming weeks.

Reijnders could be one of several new signings brought into Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer, and not the only name to be recruited and acquired for the midfield ranks, as club officials also aim to bolster their attacking midfield to replace Kevin De Bruyne.

But on the subject of the impressive Dutchman, it appears as though the admiration for one another is mutual, with the former AZ Alkmaar speaking openly about one Manchester City star this week.

Conversing around general media commitments related to AC Milan’s Coppa Italia final, Tijjani Reijnders pointed towards City legend Kevin De Bruyne as a player he would look up to during his development in his career.

“When I got older, I looked (up) a lot to Kevin De Bruyne,” the Dutchman told The Athletic’s James Horncastle during a wide-ranging interview.

He continued, “I watched his games, YouTube clips, especially the way he was scanning the pitch before he gets the ball so he always knows where the space is. I try to do the same.”

For now, it remains to be seen just how much value Tijjani Reijnders at in the current market, with some reports from Italy claiming that AC Milan would be looking to establish a new record sale through the player’s potential departure to Manchester City.

That would mean the Premier League giants would be required to exceed €67 million for the player, with that amount being the finances handed over by Real Madrid for Brazilian legend Kaka in 2009.

Such a fee would also eclipse the €58.9 million outlay issued by Newcastle United for the signing of Italian international Sandro Tonali, whilst also placing Reijnders among Manchester City’s all-time most expensive signings and taking their spend for 2025 over £200 million.