Manchester City have been busy so far during the 2025 summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola is looking to rebuild his squad in Manchester ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with everything now in place for Man City to sign Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The middle of the park is set to be the main focus of the rebuild at the Etihad Stadium, however, there are other areas the Manchester club are looking to address, as City are also pushing to sign Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri for the left-back role in their team.
With Man City keen to get both of these deals done soon, another has moved closer to its completion, as the Premier League giants have now agreed personal terms with one of their top targets.
Man City agree personal terms with Lyon’s Rayan Cherki
It was reported this week that Cherki had already given Man City the green light to complete a move for him this summer as the French star is keen to play for the Manchester club next season and beyond.
Fabrizio Romano has reported on Wednesday that Man City and Cherki have now reached an agreement on personal terms, with an official bid expected to be presented to Lyon in the next few hours in order to get the transfer over the line.
This is big news for City as, similar to Reijnders, Guardiola is hoping to have the 21-year-old with him when the Manchester club travel to America this summer for the FIFA Club World Cup.
The main issue in the Cherki deal until now has been the transfer fee, as Lyon do not plan on doing any of the interested parties a favour this summer, despite the midfielder having just one year remaining on his current deal.
What Man City will need to pay to land Rayan Cherki
Heading into the summer, it was reported that it would cost £25m to sign Cherki from Lyon, as that was believed to be the release clause in the midfielder’s current contract.
However, that is not the case, with Fabrizio Romano stating that Cherki’s release clause is a complicated one, and it looks like Man City will need to pay more than the previously reported fee.
This week, it was reported that Lyon have already set their asking price, which is currently at £34m, therefore, City should find it easy to sign the 21-year-old once this is matched.
This is still a bargain for a player with the quality and potential of Cherki, which will only grow during his time working with Guardiola.
Man City should now follow up Tijjani Reijnders deal by hijacking ‘unexpected’ exit at AC Milan
Manchester City are very close to officially announcing the signing of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
City have been pushing hard for the Dutch star over the last week as the English giants were keen to add the midfielder to their squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, and it was reported on Wednesday that everything is in place for Man City to complete the signing of Reijnders.
Throughout the last few months, the Manchester club have built up a good relationship with AC Milan, not only through the Reijnders deal, but also with Kyle Walker joining the Serie A club on loan in January.
Man City should now use this relationship to their advantage and hijack Chelsea’s pursuit of a key Milan star, who would be a great replacement for a big potential exit at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Man City should hijack Chelsea’s move for Mike Maignan
Ben Jacobs reported on Tuesday that Mike Maignan is open to a move to Chelsea this summer following positive talks with the Premier League club, and he could be signed for just £20m-£25m ahead of the new season.
Milan missing out on Europe has presented the Blues with this “unexpected market opportunity” and Jacobs states that things could now move fast as the London club are expected to submit an offer.
This is a move Man City should consider hijacking as Maignan would be the perfect replacement for Ederson as the Brazilian’s future at the Etihad remains up in the air.
Pep Guardiola recently stated that Ederson would remain in Manchester next season, however, the Man City star is still open to a move to Saudi Arabia.
Should a big offer arrive from the Saudi Pro League, City are likely to accept it, but that is unlikely to happen before the FIFA Club World Cup, which is why Guardiola should pounce on the opportunity that has emerged out of AC Milan.
How Mike Maignan compares to Ederson
Maignan is considered by many as a better goalkeeper than Ederson, as the 29-year-old has emerged as one of the best shot-stoppers in the sport in recent years.
The two goalkeepers are similar in ways as both are very good with their feet, the Brazilian being the better of the two, while shot-stopping is not a problem for the duo, an area where the French international trumps the Man City star.
The stats show that Maignan is just as capable with his feet as Ederson, which would be a big attraction for Guardiola, while the AC Milan star has performed better in several other areas than the Brazilian throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
With Man City needing a rebuild this summer, £25m for Maignan would allow Guardiola to address a key area with a quality player, while saving money to strengthen the other areas in his team needing attention.
The Manchester club should seriously consider hijacking Chelsea’s move for the AC Milan star; however, the biggest problem for City is time.
Man City fans are in agreement about Tijjani Reijnders after Fabrizio Romano confirms signing
Tijjani Reijnders looks set to become Manchester City’s first signing of the summer.
Reijnders could join Manchester City for £58 million and the deal could be completed on Wednesday.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the AC Milan midfielder’s imminent addition as well, confirming that a deal was almost done on Tuesday itself.
Man City fans rave about Tijjani Reijnders as he’s set to seal Etihad move
One Manchester City fan simply reacted to the latest news surrounding Tijjani Reijnders by writing: “We signed the best midfielder in Europe.”
A second supporter described the 26-year-old as an “elite midfielder”, stating: “We’ve signed an elite midfielder. I recognise my club.”
A third Manchester City fan claimed that the Sky Blues will win the quadruple next season with Reijnders at their disposal: “We just signed the best midfielder in the world. We are winning the quadruple next season.”
Another fan pinpointed that while there is room for improvement for the Dutchman in terms of winning duels in the middle of the park, he would be an excellent addition for Pep Guardiola’s men: “As I watch his tape, Reijnders doesn’t look too imposing in duels/riding contact at times. Otherwise, top class passer of the ball particularly from the left-hand side, has shown potential to dictate games for the Netherlands, good engine, scores goals. Really great signing.”
A fifth supporter replied: “Chuffed about this one compared to the other signings we’re linked to. One out of three or one of two of the midfield rebuild is sorted. Rodri and Reijnders is gonna be a beautiful sight.”
Finally, a sixth City fan compared Reijnders’ potential signing to that of Omar Marmoush, who has impressed for Manchester City: “Reijnders is in that Marmoush range of signings. World-class players that are in the top 10 in their positions and can help the team right after coming. Always good having confirmed players and not gambling, I’m actually happy, best signing [alongside Omar] since [Josko] Gvardiol.”
How Pep Guardiola feels about Tijjani Reijnders behind the scenes
With more signings looking like they could be on their way, the Etihad Stadium looks like a happy place to be.
Rayan Cherki looks set to join Manchester City.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, who Guardiola has liked since 2020 could follow the Frenchman as well.
It is clear to see that this summer, City mean business.
Regarding Reijnders, while the overwhelmingly positive verdict from Manchester City fans is worth its weight in gold, Pep Guardiola’s opinion means more than most.
Guardiola loves Reijnders and believes that he is the perfect addition in the number eight role.
Pep Guardiola has a lot of faith in Reijnders as a player, to the point that he is believed to be of the opinion that the Dutch international could lead Manchester City to the Premier League title.
£50M Man City target has now given the green light to PSG to come and get him
Manchester City are not shopping in the centre-back market this summer.
The Premier League giants are set to undergo a rebuild ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Guardiola keen to add four or five players to his squad, having just experienced a tough season.
At the heart of this, a revamp of the Spanish coach’s midfield will take place with Man City closing in on Tijjani Reijnders, while the Premier League club are also working on a deal for Rayan Cherki.
In addition to this, a goalkeeper and two full-backs for either side are expected to arrive at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola content with his centre-back options.
Man City have had a Premier League central defender on their list for some time, should they ever want to add to the role, but their target looks set to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer, having already given the green light to the move.
Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi has agreed to join PSG
Man City have held long-term interest in Illia Zabarnyi as the Ukrainian centre-back has impressed in the Premier League ever since moving to Bournemouth in 2023 from Dynamo Kyiv.
Last month, it was reported that Man City could sign Zabarnyi for around £50m this summer, however, it seems that the centre-back has decided to move to PSG ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
According to RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins, PSG have made an offer for Zabarnyi, with the Champions League winners’ advisor, Luis Campos, said to be in England on Monday morning to negotiate a deal with Bournemouth.
The Ukrainian international is said to be keen on a move to Paris and has already given the green light to the transfer, a deal PSG hope to get wrapped up quickly.
Zabarnyi would have been a good addition to Man City’s squad, but the 22-year-old is not a player that Guardiola needs at present, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol set to be the Spanish coach’s starting pair throughout the 25/26 campaign.
How Illia Zabarnyi compares to Ruben Dias
Man City are not in the market for a centre-back as both Dias and Gvardiol are incredible players and both are young enough to remain at the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Nevertheless, had the Manchester club been looking to replace the Portuguese star, Zabarnyi would have been a great option as the 22-year-old is similar to the City centre-back.
Both players are defensive-minded centre-backs who read the game well, are very strong physically, and are calm on the ball, which is essential when being part of a Guardiola team.
Dias is better on the ball than Zabarnyi, but that is an area the Ukrainian would have improved working with the Spanish coach in Manchester.
Not many Man City fans will be upset about missing out on the 22-year-old, however, it was easy to see why the Premier League giants were keeping an eye on the Ukrainian.
Man City now set to make their first signing of the summer, the deal could cost £58m
With the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon, Manchester City must act quickly in the summer transfer window.
As things stand, it seems like Pep Guardiola’s men are just on the verge of signing several players.
Manchester City could sign Rayan Cherki soon and back themselves to complete a deal for the Frenchman, who registered 12 goals and 20 assists in all competitions last season.
While Rayan Ait-Nouri has said yes to joining Manchester City, a fee needs to be agreed between the Sky Blues and Wolves.
Tijjani Reijnders is a player who City have tracked for a while as well.
Man City set to sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders
Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Reijnders to snap him up from AC Milan.
Reijnders, who was recognised as Serie A’s best midfielder has had a terrific season and could be set to play a key role for the English giants as well.
The good news for Manchester City fans is that journalist Daniel Longo has revealed that they could sign him on Wednesday.