Hugo Viana and Man City transfer stance on Tijjani Reijnders amid Arsenal interest | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is expected to be given fresh faith by the club this summer, despite some lingering doubts over his long-term future.

Reijnders arrived at the Etihad Stadium from AC Milan for £46.5 million last summer, making an instant impression with a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut against Wolves.

His involvement dropped away considerably as the season progressed, starting just nine of City’s final 20 league fixtures under Pep Guardiola, though he still finished the campaign with seven goals and eight assists across 47 appearances in all competitions.

The 27-year-old’s situation has been a recurring subplot throughout the off-season, having already attracted interest from elsewhere in Europe before Guardiola’s exit and Enzo Maresca‘s expected arrival added a fresh layer of uncertainty over his role at the club.

O’Rourke: Reijnders to be given ‘new start’ under Maresca

According to the information of journalist Pete O’Rourke, Manchester City have no ‘immediate plans’ to sell Reijnders this summer, with the appointment of Maresca instead set to hand the Dutchman a ‘new start’ at the club.

Reijnders himself is said to be hopeful of catching the eye both at the ongoing FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands in north America and during pre-season under Maresca, in pursuit of a more consistent run of games once the 2026-27 campaign gets underway.

City are also reportedly reluctant to narrow their midfield options any further following Bernardo Silva‘s recent departure as a free agent – a stance that works in Reijnders’ favour regardless of his recent dip in form.

Serie A interest has nonetheless been credited as part of the report, with clubs in Italy – the country Reijnders left only 12 months ago – said to be keeping tabs on his situation at the Etihad Stadium.

Where does this leave Reijnders’ Etihad Stadium future?

This is not the first time Reijnders’ situation has generated transfer speculation, having previously been linked with moves to Arsenal and Juventus earlier in the season, as well as more concrete interest from Atletico Madrid before the summer window opened.

The renewed Serie A links carry an obvious symmetry given Reijnders left AC Milan only a year ago for a substantial fee, though City’s stance for now suggests no appetite to sanction a quick return to Italy.

City’s midfield picture has shifted significantly since Reijnders signed, with Silva having put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Real Madrid and director of football Hugo Viana continuing to push for a deal to land Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

Whether Maresca’s faith translates into regular game time once pre-season begins remains to be seen, but for now, Reijnders’ Etihad Stadium future appears considerably more secure than reports earlier in the summer had suggested.