Atletico Madrid open talks with Manchester City over Tijjani Reijnders transfer

Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Manchester City over the signing of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, according to Matteo Moretto on RadioMarca. The 27-year-old, who moved to the Etihad for €54.9m last summer, is among the players who could be allowed to leave as Enzo Maresca prepares to take charge at Manchester City.

Reijnders spent two seasons at AC Milan before his move to City, where he registered seven goals and eight assists across 47 appearances in 2024-25. Despite those numbers — averaging just under a goal contribution every two games — he started only around half of those matches and increasingly found himself used as a substitute under Pep Guardiola in the second half of the season.

Atletico’s interest is part of a broader midfield rebuild being overseen by Sporting Director Mateu Alemany. Los Colchoneros have already agreed a deal to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes this summer, but the club are looking to make further additions. Last summer’s arrivals Alex Baena and Johnny Cardoso both endured injury-disrupted debut seasons at the Metropolitano, while captain Koke Resurreccion was called upon more heavily than anticipated and Pablo Barrios also struggled for fitness. January signings Obed Vargas and Rodrigo Mendoza are considered prospects and may be sent out on loan.

With Gomes confirmed, Atletico would technically have six players competing for the two deeper midfield positions, though the potential loan exits of Vargas and Mendoza would ease that congestion.

Reijnders is seen as a profile similar to Barrios — technically assured, capable of driving forward with the ball, and able to escape pressure in tight spaces. At 27, he is entering what is typically considered the peak years for a central midfielder. Prior to his move to Manchester City, Real Madrid had also been linked with the Netherlands international.