Tijjani Reijnders' Future: Juventus Eye Move as City Role Diminishes
Tijjani Reijnders arrived at City with the weight of expectation and a £46 million price tag on his shoulders. Signed from AC Milan to add craft and control to Pep Guardiola’s midfield, the Dutchman initially looked every bit the long-term piece of an evolving side.
Now he is watching too many games from the bench.
Since February, Reijnders’ status has shifted from regular starter to peripheral figure. He has been an unused substitute in six of his last nine matches and has not played a single Premier League minute since March 14. For a 27-year-old in his prime, that kind of silence on the pitch always makes noise off it.
It has, inevitably, opened the door to rumours.
Juventus circle as Reijnders stalls in England
In Italy, they have not forgotten what Reijnders did in Serie A. Nor have Juventus. According to Gazzetta, the Turin club are tracking his situation closely, sensing an opportunity as his role at City shrinks.
Juve are in the middle of a delicate rebuild. They want a midfielder who can dictate games, understand complex tactical demands and slot into the rhythm of Italian football without a long learning curve. On paper, Reijnders ticks every box.
He has already done it in Serie A. At Milan, he grew into one of the league’s most effective midfielders, his performances convincing City to invest heavily. That previous success is now a major part of his appeal. Juventus see a player who knows the tempo, the physicality, the spacing of Italian football. No need for a season of adjustment, no gamble on whether he can handle the league.
That matters in Turin more than ever.
Lessons from Douglas Luiz
Juventus are still scarred by how things unfolded with Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian never truly settled, struggled to impose himself, and eventually returned to England after a spell that left more questions than answers.
The club do not want to repeat that scenario. They are targeting profiles with proven Serie A experience, players who can step in and respond immediately to the tactical rigour demanded in Italy. Reijnders fits that strategy almost perfectly: international pedigree, Serie A background, and the technical quality to elevate a midfield.
Yet admiration is one thing. Affording him is another.
The financial puzzle
City’s initial outlay of around £46 million stands as a formidable barrier. Juventus, still carefully managing their accounts while reshaping the squad, cannot simply walk in with a straight cash offer at that level.
The situation becomes even more complex when set against their wider plans. The expected departure of Teun Koopmeiners forces Juve to think creatively about how they rebuild the heart of their team without overextending financially. Reijnders would be a statement signing, but only on the right terms.
That is why talk in Turin is already turning to structure rather than simple fees. An initial loan with an option or obligation to buy. A player exchange to soften the financial blow. Staggered payments spread over several years. These are the kinds of mechanisms that could bring a deal within reach, if City open the door.
For now, nothing moves unless Guardiola does.
Guardiola’s choices will decide the market
Everything hinges on what happens in the coming weeks. If Reijnders forces his way back into Guardiola’s plans, the conversation changes. City may decide they still see him as part of the medium-term core, and any suitor, Juventus included, would have to deal from a position of weakness.
If the pattern continues, if he remains anchored to the bench as the season runs in, pressure will build from all sides. The player’s camp will want clarity. City will have to decide whether a high-value asset is worth keeping in a reduced role. Juventus will be ready, watching for the moment uncertainty turns into opportunity.
Right now, Reijnders stands at a crossroads: stay and fight for a place in a packed City midfield, or listen when Italy calls again. For Juventus, the question is simple: can they turn a stalled Premier League chapter into the signing that reshapes their midfield for years to come?
