3 Reasons Why Manchester City's Pursuit of AC Milan Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders Makes Sense

Manchester City have moved decisively to strengthen their midfield by agreeing a reported €55 million (£46.3m) deal with AC Milan for Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders.

The 26-year-old, who has already agreed personal terms, is set to sign a five-year contract with the reigning Cityzens, pending a medical.

City are pushing to finalize the transfer in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on 14 June in the United States.

Here are three key reasons why City's pursuit of Reijnders is both timely and tactically astute.

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Manchester City's midfield has been hit by a wave of uncertainty.

Mateo Kovacic has undergone Achilles surgery and is ruled out of the upcoming Club World Cup, while Kevin De Bruyne is strongly linked with a summer switch to Napoli amid exit from the club.

With two central figures unavailable, Pep Guardiola faces a short-term crisis and a long-term reshaping of his engine room.

Reijnders provides immediate depth and proven quality with his ability to operate both deep and high in midfield which makes him a flexible solution in Guardiola's ever-evolving system.

He’s also durable and reliable, having made 37Serie A appearances for AC Milan this season, underlining his readiness for the physical demands of English football.

Reijnders is the type of technically refined, press-resistant midfielder that Guardiola covets.

Capped 22 times for the Netherlands, he excels at receiving the ball in tight spaces, breaking lines with incisive passing, and carrying the ball forward with purpose.

Whether City are dominating possession or navigating a high press, Reijnders offers composure and control.

Importantly, he complements Rodri's deep-lying role and could slot in as either a partner in a double pivot or operate further upfield to support attacking transitions.

His versatility ensures that Guardiola can vary his approach depending on the opponent and competition, an invaluable trait in a squad aiming to compete on multiple fronts.

While many may know Reijnders for his breakout goal-scoring form in the just concluded season season, he is far from a one-dimensional player.

Named Serie A's midfielder of the season despite Milan's disappointing eighth-place finish, Reijnders impressed with his consistency, work rate, and ability to influence matches from different zones on the pitch.

At 26, he is entering his peak years and brings a mix of experience and upside.

Manchester City’s move for Tijjani Reijnders isn't just about plugging gaps, but about future-proofing their midfield with a player tailor-made for Guardiola’s high standards.

His arrival could prove to be a masterstroke as City aim to stay ahead of the competition both domestically and globally.