Atletico Madrid eyeing Manchester City midfielder

Atletico Madrid are reportedly preparing a summer move for Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, with head coach Diego Simeone identifying the Dutch international as a key target to strengthen his midfield ahead of the new season.

The Spanish club is said to view Reijnders as the ideal blend of energy, creativity, and tactical intelligence needed to bolster its squad.

According to reports, Atletico are considering an opening offer worth around €65 million for the former AC Milan star. 

Reijnders arrived at Manchester City with high expectations and made a strong impression during the opening weeks of the 2025-26 campaign, but his role diminished significantly as the season progressed.

The 27-year-old struggled for regular playing time during the latter stages of the season under Pep Guardiola. 

Reijnders was left as an unused substitute on several occasions in the Premier League run-in and was also overlooked in both domestic cup finals, raising questions about his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are believed to be open to discussing a transfer should a suitable offer arrive. 

The Premier League champions are already exploring midfield reinforcements and could use funds from a potential sale to pursue alternative targets as they continue reshaping their squad ahead of next season.

Atletico, however, may not have a clear path to securing the midfielder’s signature. Interest from Italy remains strong, with Juventus among the clubs reportedly monitoring Reijnders’ situation. 

The Dutchman enjoyed a successful spell in Serie A with AC Milan, and a return to Italy remains a realistic option should negotiations with Atletico stall.

Despite potential competition, Atletico are optimistic that the opportunity to play under Simeone and become a central figure in the club’s project could prove decisive. 

If completed, the €65 million move would rank among the most expensive signings in Atletico Madrid’s recent history and signal the club’s determination to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona more aggressively in the race for domestic honours.