A three-way Premier League scrap could be brewing for the Dutch midfielder — with Villa now leading the charge
The Tijjani Reijnders transfer saga has taken a serious step forward. Aston Villa have reportedly made official enquiries to Manchester City over a move for the Dutch international, with the Premier League champions understood to be open to a sale worth around £50m this summer.
From Speculation to Concrete Move
This isn’t a fresh name appearing out of nowhere — Villa’s interest in Reijnders has been building for weeks. But the latest reports mark a genuine escalation, with Villa said to have gone beyond background checks and made direct contact with City as they push to strengthen their midfield before the window shuts.
Why City Are Willing to Let Him Go
Reijnders’ first season at the Etihad hasn’t gone to plan. The Dutchman arrived from AC Milan off the back of being named Serie A’s midfielder of the year, and started life in England with real promise — scoring and assisting on his Premier League bow against Wolves. But his role diminished significantly as the season wore on, with Pep Guardiola shifting his system to prioritize Rodri and Bernardo Silva through the middle, squeezing Reijnders out of regular selection.
That frustration appears to be mutual. Reports suggest Reijnders is now open to leaving in search of consistent first-team football — a factor reportedly weighing heavily on his thinking as he assesses his next move.
A Genuine Three-Way Race
Villa won’t have this one to themselves. Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have also been credited with interest in the Dutch international, setting up a genuine scramble for his signature if City confirm they’re ready to sell. Arsenal and Juventus have also been mentioned at various points during the speculation, though Villa appear to be the club making the most concrete moves right now.
The Numbers Behind the Interest
Despite his stop-start season, Reijnders still managed 14 goal involvements across all competitions for a City side that won two domestic cups and remained in the Premier League title race — proof that when given the platform, his quality still shines through. It’s exactly that underlying talent, allied to his proven Serie A pedigree, that has kept Europe’s midfield-hungry clubs paying close attention.
What Would He Add at Villa Park?
Slotting Reijnders alongside John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, and Amadou Onana would give Unai Emery one of the most technically gifted midfield groups in the division. His combination of press-resistant passing, late runs into the box, and Champions League-tested composure is exactly the profile Villa have been targeting to push their squad to the next level.
The Bottom Line
With City reportedly valuing him around £50m and Reijnders himself said to be receptive to a fresh start, this saga looks like it could move quickly. Whether Villa can fend off Newcastle and Forest to get a deal over the line remains to be seen — but for now, they appear to be leading the chase for one of the Premier League’s most talented underused midfielders.
Who do you think lands Reijnders — Villa, Newcastle, or Forest? Drop your prediction below. 👇
