Serie A Return Unlikely for Former Milan Star Reijnders | OneFootball

Tijjani Reijnders could flee Manchester City just a year after he was signed, but his return to Italy is unlikely to be in the cards, despite the recent scuttlebutt. Instead, he could stay in the Premier League at a different club, Fabrizio Romano reports (via SOSFanta).

The Dutchman got off to a good start after joining from Milan but progressively faded, not playing regularly in the final months of the 2025/2026 campaign. In addition, the Sky Blues changed their coach, and Enzo Maresca prefers midfielders with different characteristics.

Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United are currently in the lead to capture Reijnders. The Tricky Trees sold Elliot Anderson to the Premier League champions and could splurge to replace him. The Magpies had eyed him earlier in the summer. Their interest is reciprocated.

The former Rossoneri star transferred for €55M last summer. He notched 7 goals and 8 assists in 50 appearances with Manchester City. He had reached the double-digit threshold in scoring in his second and final season at San Siro.

Our Take on Reijnders

The fact that one of the most dominant midfielders seen in Serie A couldn’t really cut it in England says a lot about the state and level of the league. The recency and numbers of his previous move are indeed giant hindrances. If there ever were an opening, he’d be a mouth-watering addition for a few sides.

He would have been tailor-made for Juventus before they acquired Kerim Alajbegovic and started moving toward an aggressive 4-2-3-1. He’d be a sound target for Inter too if they ever pivoted away from Curtis Jones, but it remains to be seen if he’d accept the destination, given his Milan ties.