Tijjani Reijnders has remained tight-lipped about his expected transfer to Manchester City, but the AC Milan midfielder admitted that playing in the Premier League would be a dream come true.
The 26-year-old is poised to complete a €55m (£46.3m) switch to the Etihad after agreeing personal terms, with only a medical standing in the way of finalizing the deal. Reijnders is expected to join Pep Guardiola’s squad in time for the upcoming Club World Cup.
Currently on international duty with the Netherlands, Reijnders told Voetbal International, “The clubs are still in talks. For me, it’s a waiting game now. I’ve been involved very little — my father handles that. The Premier League is a great competition, that’s what you dream of as a little boy.”
Though he hasn’t spoken directly to Guardiola yet, Reijnders revealed he’s already had brief discussions with international teammate and City defender Nathan Aké. “He would like it if I came that way,” Reijnders said.
His arrival comes at a critical time for City, with veteran playmaker Kevin De Bruyne reportedly close to sealing a move to Napoli. Reijnders is expected to bring energy, versatility, and technical class to Guardiola’s midfield rotation.
City are also pushing ahead in the market, targeting Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and Wolves full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri as they look to freshen up the squad following a lacklustre season by their standards.
If all goes to plan, Reijnders could be Pep’s first big piece in City’s midfield rebuild.