Manchester City has completed a significant spending spree amounting to $150 million, just ahead of the anticipated Club World Cup. The English football club announced on Wednesday the acquisition of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, marking a strategic enhancement to their lineup.
The 26-year-old Reijnders joins City for an initial amount of 55 million euros ($63 million) and is the second midfielder acquired during the specialized June 1-10 transfer window. This particular period was set up to enable the clubs participating in the 32-team Club World Cup to make key adjustments to their squads. Prior to Reijnders, City secured French playmaker Rayan Cherki for $41 million from Lyon and brought in Algerian left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton for $42 million.
Opting against pursuing Florian Wirtz—whose imminent move to Liverpool has been widely speculated in British media—Manchester City has directed similar financial resources to secure three influential players. Coupled with their winter investments, City’s expenditure on player acquisitions in 2025 has exceeded $350 million. This substantial investment underscores their ambition to reclaim the Premier League title from current holders, Liverpool.
Reijnders was recently awarded the title of best midfielder in Serie A, following an impressive season where he netted 15 goals and contributed five assists for AC Milan, a team facing challenges and failing to secure European competition. Initially transferring to Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 for about 20 million euros, Reijnders signed a contract with Milan that extended until 2030—a duration mirrored in his new agreement at City.
In aligning with City, Reijnders fills the void left by Kevin De Bruyne, whose decade-long tenure with the club concludes. Reijnders will join forces with Rodri and Cherki, promising a dynamic and compelling midfield combination.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Reijnders remarked on the fulfillment of a long-held dream to play in the Premier League, inspired by the successes of numerous Dutch players before him. City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, emphasized Reijnders’ ability to augment the team’s midfield with his unique blend of energy, composure, and creativity.
Although City confirmed the acquisition of Reijnders shortly after the special transfer window concluded, they appear to have secured his registration in time for participation in the revamped 32-team Club World Cup, commencing on Saturday. Manchester City finds itself grouped with Juventus, Al Ain, and Wydad Casablanca, with their opening fixture scheduled for June 18.