'Extra energy' - Tijjani Reijnders speaks after £46.3m Man City transfer
Manchester City have confirmed their fourth signing of the first transfer window of the summer in AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders
Manchester City have announced the £46.3m signing of Tijjani Reijnders to wrap up a productive first transfer window of the summer. The Dutch midfielder’s move was announced on the morning after the window closed following his involvement on international duty.
City are delighted to land the 26-year-old to strengthen a midfield that was overpowered too often last season, with Reijnders eyed up to have an immediate impact after being named as the best in his position in Serie A despite AC Milan not qualifying for Europe.
The Blues could end up paying another £12.5m in additional payments, but are satisfied that if all the performance-related targets are triggered Reijnders will have justified their faith that he can be a world-class addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
City's manager bemoaned the lack of support that Erling Haaland had last season as the goal contributions around him dried up. Reijnders is looking to help that as he lives his dream of playing in the Premier League.
“I’m a box-to-box midfielder who likes to join the build-up from the back. I like to help the attackers, create chances and try to score a goal by myself sometimes," he said.
"As a midfielder, it’s important to score goals as well. Two years ago, I didn’t score that many goals and I worked on it that summer and seeing what I needed to do better in front of the goal. This season, it worked out and I got on the scoresheet more.
"It’s a boy’s dream to play in the Premier League. I want to feel the intensity and energy of playing in the Premier League.
"I think you have to think even quicker here - especially when you play for Man City. The spaces are smaller, and these are things I want to be better at more. I’m looking forward to it. Football is about winning prizes, and I hope to win as much as possible with Manchester City.”
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Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “We are very happy that Tijjani has joined us and we’re excited for him to join Pep’s squad. He arrives here with extensive top level experience in Europe, both at club level as well as on the international stage with the Netherlands.
“Tijjani adds extra energy, composure and creativity to our midfield and working with Pep and our coaches will only see him go from strength to strength.”
Reijnders is one of four new arrivals for City in a spend of around £110m that adds momentum to a squad rebuild that was started in January with another four players signed for £175m. The club have achieved their aim of bringing in the bulk of their new faces before they head off for the Club World Cup, and have also moved on emphatically after pulling out of a move for £130m Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.
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