Manchester City head off to the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup this month as Pep Guardiola aims to end the extended 2024/25 season with a trophy.
Guardiola's charges lost their Premier League title to Liverpool at the end of May but a top five finish secured UEFA Champions League qualification for 2025/26.
The flight to North America will feature a squad that reflects Guardiola's plans for the months ahead with talisman Kevin De Bruyne expected to miss out on the trip with his contract expiring.
The Belgium international brings down the curtain on his 10 years in Manchester with no contract renewal offer on the table as his current deal expires at the end of June.
Fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic will not join the squad in the USA due to injury - but the club are on course to have a new face in midfield - with a deal agreed with AC Milan for Tijjani Reijnders as per BBC Sport.
City have been tracking the Dutch international since the start of 2025, and his skillset adds something fresh to City's engine room, in a changing of guard in Guardiola's midfield.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Can Tijjani Reijnders play in the Club World Cup?
FIFA have opened the international transfer window until June 10 to allow clubs participating in the Club World Cup to register new players and extend contracts of current stars.
The deadline for squad submissions is also June 10, and City are confident of having a deal wrapped up to meet that deadline, with Reijnders able to make his debut in their opening game.
Guardiola's side kick off their tournament against Wydad Casablanca on June 18 followed by Group G clashes with Al Ain and Juventus.
In two seasons at AC Milan, Reijnders netted 19 goals in 104 games - including 15 in 2024/25 - and the 26-year-old finished in the Serie A top five for passes into the opposition penalty area [56], through balls [14] and progressive passes [230].
Man City news and related links
- Man City boss Pep Guardiola says 'new faces will come' ahead of summer transfer window
- Pep Guardiola fires future question at struggling Man City star
- Pep Guardiola gives verdict on Man City star duo amid uncertain future