A new midfield target has emerged for Manchester City and he’d add exactly what that lack | OneFootball

It does appear that Manchester City will need to further strengthen their midfield in the summer. It was exclusively revealed by Esteemed Kompany yesterday that Mateo Kovacic could leave the club in the summer. If he does leave that would leave a hole in City’s midfield. There are also question marks that surround Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva’s futures. Strengthening the midfield will be a summer priority for Manchester City. It simply has to be as City bids to rebuild their squad and return to the top of the Premier League.

Now a new report has named AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders as a potential summer transfer target for Manchester City. Rudy Galetti has reported for TeamTalk that the world champions have identified Reijnders as a priority transfer target. Furthermore, Galetti reports that City has allocated a budget of £50 million to sign Reijnders. AC Milan recently signed Reijnders to a contract extension that runs until 2030. But Galetti’s report indicates that if AC Milan fails to qualify for next season’s Champions League, they may forced to sell their prized asset. Lastly, Galetti adds that Chelsea and Manchester United also have an interest in signing arguably AC Milan’s most important player.

Tijjani Reijnders would immensely improve Manchester City’s midfield but is he actually attainable?

Tijjani Reijnders has had a superb season for AC Milan. In 42 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 13 goals and added 4 assists. He is a goal-scoring midfielder, and that is something that Manchester City’s squad desperately lacks. But aside from his goals, the key attributes of Reijnders’ game would perfectly complement Pep Guardiola’s squad. As a player, Reijnders would add a new dimension to City’s midfield.

Tijjani Reijnders can play as a holding midfielder, a number eight or as an attacking midfielder, more commonly known as a number ten. The Dutch international is an intelligent player which stands out when you watch him play. He is intelligent with his passing which helps AC Milan’s play. Reijnders is also a good dribbler which helps him and his team get out of trouble in midfield. The intelligence in Reijnders’ game also stands out with his ability to make a late run into the box when Milan attack. That attribute has seen his goal-scoring improve this season. Those attributes alone would be fine additions to Manchester City’s midfield.

Perhaps the only major area in the game of the AC Milan midfielder which needs to improve is his strength in and timing of a challenge. But if you paired Tijjani Reijnders with Rodri or Nico, for example, that area of his game wouldn’t be a major concern. When you look at Tijjani Reijnders as a player, you can see why Manchester City would be interested in signing the Dutch international.

The only question would be is Reijnders a player Manchester City could land in the summer? That appears to be the issue. The Dutch international recently signed a long-term contract extension with AC Milan. It doesn’t seem likely that they will sell one of their most important players just after he extended his contract with the club. AC Milan’s financial situation may change that scenario, but for now, the idea of Manchester City signing Tijjani Reijnders may be unlikely.