Latest developments
- Manchester City are preparing a £54 million bid for Milan's Tijjani Reijnders.
- The 26-year-old has been one of Serie A's standout players this season.
- Tottenham are also said to be tracking the central midfielder.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2/5): No clear links to either club
Man City are lining up an initial bid of £54 million to bring Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to the Etihad in January.
This story comes from Spanish site fichajes.net, who have not named their sources, though this story has been picked up by a few outlets in England.
Value (4/5): City can expect to pay more
That initial bid would be a reasonable one from City, considering Reijnders' current valuation is £41.5 million after 11 goal involvements in 22 games so far this season.
Yet, with Reijnders under contract until 2028 and Milan in no hurry to sell, anything below £65 million could be considered a decent price for the Cityzens if they pull this off.
Suitability (4/5): City need a boost in attack
Averaging a goal or an assist every other game, Reijnders is putting up the numbers that City's attacking players can only dream of recently.
Playing through the middle, as a box-to-box midfielder and able to sit deeper and push forward, he could fill the gap left by Rodri or take over from misfiring attackers.
Upgrade? (3.5/5): Just a purple patch?
The former AZ Alkmaar man is having the season of his career so far and has already surpassed his goal and assist totals from last year, when he was making his debut campaign in Milan.
By contrast, the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden are all having their worst seasons in City shirts. Equally though, they may yet get their form back under a different coach.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether or not this is just a purple patch for Reijnders. After all, “form is temporary, class is permanent”, as the old saying goes.
Logic (2/5): Enjoying life in Milan
Domestically, Milan are not doing much better than City this season, though they are faring better in the UEFA Champions League. With things starting to click and the chance of a deep run in Europe for Milan, it doesn't make much sense for the Dutch international to up sticks mid season.
For City, a midfield clear out and a bid in the summer might be better, when they will have a much clearer indication on Reijnders' true potential.
Whisper+ verdict: 16.5/25
January might come a little early for this move, but if City's interest is genuine, then it could be one to keep track of in the summer.
