Manchester City Makes €100M Move for Two Real Madrid-Linked Stars
In a bold and calculated move ahead of the upcoming season, Manchester City is closing in on the signings of two of Europe’s most promising midfield talents — Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon. The joint investment could exceed €100 million, sending a strong message to the rest of Europe — and directly impacting Real Madrid’s future plans.
🧠 A Strategic Double Swoop
City has reportedly reached personal agreements with both players. While final negotiations with Milan and Lyon remain ongoing, the deals are expected to move swiftly, as Pep Guardiola’s side looks to refresh and future-proof its midfield unit.
- Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch international, has been a revelation in Serie A. His physical presence, ball progression, and tactical discipline make him an ideal profile for City’s positional play.
- Rayan Cherki, long touted as one of France’s brightest prospects, offers flair, vision, and creativity in the final third. Despite inconsistencies, his ceiling remains among the highest in his generation.
⚪ Real Madrid Left Watching
Both players have, at different stages, been on Real Madrid’s scouting radar.
- Cherki had long been monitored by Madrid’s youth recruitment team, especially during Zinedine Zidane’s tenure, given his French-Algerian background and technical brilliance.
- Reijnders impressed internally at Valdebebas for his intelligent movement and work rate — viewed as a contingency option for midfield reinforcement if departures (like Modrić or Kroos) materialized.
However, Madrid never moved decisively for either, prioritizing other targets such as Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and now Florian Wirtz (pending market developments).
🚪 Another Door Closes
Though the Spanish giants weren’t actively pursuing Reijnders or Cherki this summer, their near arrival in Manchester is a reminder of how quickly the landscape can change. City’s proactive transfer model — identifying and securing talent before market inflation — once again proves its effectiveness.
For Madrid, this means two potential long-term options are now off the table, reinforcing the need to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.
