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Manchester City has embarked on a significant squad overhaul this summer, marked by the imminent arrival of AC Milan and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The 26-year-old, who has earned 22 caps for his national team, joins City after a challenging season where they finished third in the Premier League and struggled for much of the campaign.

City's previous term was marred by a knee injury to midfield stalwart Rodri and the confirmed departure of the iconic Kevin de Bruyne. Manager Pep Guardiola, who already invested £180 million in January to strengthen his squad, now faces the daunting task of not only shoring up the midfield but also transitioning out several aging stars. Among these potential exits are Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, and Jack Grealish, with Kyle Walker also rumored to be on the move.

Reijnders brings a dynamic profile to City’s midfield at a crucial juncture. Last season at Milan, he scored 10 goals and assisted four, despite his team’s overall disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A. Known for his powerful box-to-box play, Reijnders was ranked high for forward passes, through balls, and ball carries in Italy’s top flight, attributes that make him well-suited for Guardiola’s possession-based strategy.

While City’s £50 million winter acquisition of Nico Gonzalez aimed to bolster the midfield, the team’s lack of physicality and endurance was exposed both domestically and in Europe. Reijnders, who approaches his peak playing years, is anticipated to address these deficiencies. Italian football journalist Daniele Verri noted, "He will slot in very well at City, he runs a lot, he's very willing to improve and he will love working with Guardiola."

Despite comparisons to De Bruyne, Reijnders has demonstrated versatility, adept at playing a variety of roles in the midfield. His former manager at AZ Alkmaar, Pascal Jansen, has emphasized his strength in a central midfield role over a more advanced position. Statistics from last season also reflect that while De Bruyne edges Reijnders in assists, shot accuracy, and chance creation, the Dutchman excels in his adaptability and physical play.

City’s summer plans don’t end with Reijnders. They are also reportedly targeting Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki, as Guardiola looks to recalibrate his squad for future challenges. As Reijnders prepares to don the sky blue jersey, his arrival signals a potential shift in City’s midfield dynamics, setting the stage for a compelling rebuild at the Etihad Stadium.