Manchester City have reportedly stepped up their interest in AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Citizens are known to be in the market for at least one new midfielder as club legend Kevin De Bruyne will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract, while Bernardo Silva has also been linked with a move away.
Hugo Viana has now started full-time work as Man City's new sporting director and is working alongside outgoing chief Txiki Begiristain during a transition period, with their focus primarily on a much-anticipated squad rebuild this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White are believed to be among multiple candidates who will feature in the Citizens' transfer deliberations this summer, with Pep Guardiola's side said to be close to reaching a verbal agreement with the former.
Netherlands international Reijnders has also emerged as a big-money target for Man City and progress appears to have been made in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
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Man City hold talks with Milan over signing Reijnders
According to The Athletic, Man City have made contact with AC Milan to express an interest in signing Reijnders this summer.
The report adds that talks over a deal for the midfielder are at an early stage and a formal offer is yet to have been sent by the Citizens, who are mindful of Milan's focus on Wednesday's Coppa Italia final against Bologna.
When dialogue between both clubs resumes, Guardiola's side are said to be hopeful that an agreement can be reached to lure Reijnders to the Etihad Stadium.
Reijnders is said to have been identified by Man City as a key target to bolster their squad in the No.8 position, independent of their interest in both Wirtz and Gibbs-White.
It has previously been claimed that Milan would demand a record fee for Reijnders, eclipsing the £57m they received for club icon Kaka when he joined Real Madrid in 2009.
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Reijnders to swap Milan for Man City this summer?
Man City's decision to step up their interest in Reijnders comes just over two months after the midfielder extended his contract with Milan until June 2030.
The box-to-box midfielder has established himself as a first-team regular for the Rossoneri since joining from AZ Alkmaar for around £17m in the summer of 2023.
Reijnders chipped in with four goals and four assists in 50 appearances for Milan across all competitions last season, helping the Italian giants finish second in Serie A.
The 22-cap Dutchman has since contributed with 15 goals and five assists in 51 games for Sergio Conceicao's side this term, including 10 goals and five assists in 35 Serie A outings.
However, Milan are in danger of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League as they currently sit ninth in the Italian top-fight standings, four points behind Juventus in fourth with only two games remaining.
Oliver Thomas
