Enzo Maresca is planning to keep Tijjani Reijnders at City this summer, despite months of speculation linking the midfielder with an exit.
Football Insider reports that Maresca intends to give the Dutchman a chance to prove himself before any decision is made on his future.
Reijnders struggled to hold down a regular starting spot following his £46m move from AC Milan last summer, managing 14 goal contributions in 50 appearances before his form faded towards the end of the campaign.
Galatasaray, Juventus and a possible return to Milan have all been mentioned as possible destinations, with Newcastle and Atletico Madrid also credited with interest.
City’s stance has firmed up in recent weeks, though, and Rodri’s contract situation looks to be a significant factor. With Rodri entering the final year of his deal and Real Madrid’s interest showing no sign of cooling, City are reluctant to move on a second experienced midfielder without a replacement plan already in place.
Reijnders, still only 27 and contracted until 2030, gives Maresca cover in more than one central role should Rodri’s situation eventually resolve and end up with him in Madrid.
He also did his own cause no harm at the World Cup. The Netherlands went out to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16, but Reijnders’ own performances stood out regardless — the kind of form unlikely to have gone unnoticed by those clubs still watching his situation closely.
For now, the message from the Etihad is clear. It’s a clean slate under the new manager, and Tijjani Reijnders’ long-term future will be shaped by what he does on the training ground and the pitch rather than what others offer in the transfer market.
