Manchester City stance on sale unclear as Atletico Madrid register interest in midfielder | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid have registered interest in Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

The 27-year-old joined Manchester City from AC Milan last summer for £46.5 million and made a strong start to life at the Etihad Stadium, contributing a goal and an assist in a world-class debut performance against Wolves to establish himself as a regular starter in the opening months of the campaign.

His level of involvement dropped after the New Year, however, as he started just nine of his final 20 Premier League appearances under recently departed manager Pep Guardiola.

The interest from Atletico Madrid arrives as Diego Simeone‘s side plan a significant midfield overhaul ahead of the 2026-27 season, having already agreed a deal with Wolves for Joao Gomes with an official announcement pending.

Reijnders has previously attracted interest from Arsenal and Juventus this season, making this the latest in a growing list of suitors for the Netherlands international.

Report: Atletico open talks with City for Reijnders

According to Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports, Atletico Madrid have registered interest in Reijnders ahead of the summer window, though City’s stance on a potential sale remains unclear at this stage.

The Spanish club appreciate it will be a difficult deal to complete, with Reijnders contracted to City until June 2030 and incoming manager Enzo Maresca yet to conduct a full assessment of the squad he has inherited.

Any decision on the Dutchman’s future is likely to hinge on that process before City communicate a clear position to interested parties.

What is the wider context for Reijnders’ City future?

Reijnders finished the season with seven goals and eight assists across 47 appearances in all competitions, though he fell down Guardiola’s pecking order as the season went on.

Guardiola cited his box-to-box runs and intensity as exactly what City needed in that moment – a reminder of what Reijnders offers when given a consistent run of games.

Whether Maresca views him as a central figure in his plans or a saleable asset will be the defining question of his summer at the Etihad Stadium.

At £46.5 million paid just 12 months ago and four years remaining on his deal, City hold considerable leverage and Atletico will need to table a persuasive offer if they are to tempt director of football Hugo Viana into sanctioning a sale at this stage of the rebuild.