Juventus make contact with Man City over Reijnders as Kessié stalls | OneFootball

Juventus have opened talks with Manchester City over a possible move for Tijjani Reijnders, as the Bianconeri weigh alternatives to stalled free-agent target Franck Kessié.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, citing La Stampa, Juventus have made initial exploratory contact both with Reijnders’ representatives, to gauge the Dutchman’s willingness to join the project, and with Manchester City, to test whether the English club would sanction a loan. There is no formal negotiation as yet, but the dialogue is expected to continue.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 18: Tijani Reijnders of Manchester City looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Reijnders emerges as Juventus alternative to Kessié

The move for Reijnders reflects Juventus’s desire to freshen a midfield that Luciano Spalletti is keen to reinforce. The Netherlands international is another former Milan man, having joined City for around €55m only a year ago, but he is said to have already slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad after a bright start to life in England.

His candidacy has gained traction in part because the Kessié deal has yet to be completed.

The former Milan midfielder, a free agent since 30 June, has edged closer to an agreement with Juventus in recent days but is unwilling to wait indefinitely, and has made clear he wants his future resolved quickly.

Complicating matters is Juventus’s congested midfield, which currently numbers eight players, meaning at least one or more departures are needed before any new arrival.

Leon Goretzka and Davide Frattesi are also being monitored as alternatives, but for now it is Reijnders who represents the most intriguing new name on the Bianconeri’s list.