Tijjani Reijnders Real Madrid interest grows as Juventus joins reported race

Real Madrid’s search for midfield help may be pulling them toward an unexpected Premier League target. A new report from Mundo Deportivo says Tijjani Reijnders Real Madrid interest is real, with Juventus also in the frame for the Manchester City midfielder ahead of the summer window.

That immediately makes this a story worth watching for Madrid fans. Reijnders only joined City on a five-year deal in June 2025 after leaving AC Milan, so this is not a routine transfer rumor about a player nearing the end of a cycle. It is a report about whether one of Europe’s top clubs might already be open to testing City’s stance on a midfielder who was signed to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s squad.

What the Tijjani Reijnders Real Madrid report says

According to Mundo Deportivo, English reporting has placed Reijnders on the radar of both Real Madrid and Juventus. The article says Madrid are looking for midfielders for their next project and have identified the Netherlands international as a possible option, while Juventus are also described as a potential destination if City are willing to listen.

The biggest obstacle, at least in the report, is the price. Mundo Deportivo says Manchester City would want to recover the €70 million they reportedly invested in the player, and the article adds that figure looks high for both Madrid and Juventus.

That is where the story becomes more complicated. When Reijnders signed for City, Reuters reported that a City team source put the transfer fee at €55 million, while City’s own announcement confirmed only the five-year contract and did not publish a number. So the current valuation being discussed in the latest report should be treated as reported transfer-market context rather than a formally confirmed City asking price.

Why Reijnders makes sense for Real Madrid

Even with that uncertainty, the link itself is logical. Reijnders is not a random name. Manchester City described him as an energetic yet elegant midfielder capable of operating in attacking or defensive roles, and highlighted that he was named Serie A’s Best Midfielder in 2024/25 before his move from Milan.

That profile naturally fits the kind of player Real Madrid would look at if the club wants more control, mobility, and technical security in midfield. He is experienced, already proven at a high level, and comfortable in different zones of the pitch. Those traits do not confirm Madrid will move for him, but they do explain why his name would surface in a serious squad-planning conversation. This is an inference based on the player profile City published and the positional need described by Mundo Deportivo.

There is also an age and timing angle here. Reuters reported Reijnders was 26 when he joined City, while Mundo Deportivo now lists him as 27. That puts him in a useful range for clubs that want someone ready to contribute immediately rather than a longer-term development project. For Madrid, that matters, because any summer midfield move would likely be judged on instant impact as much as long-term upside.

Why Juventus changes the story

Juventus being named in the same report matters for two reasons. First, it suggests Madrid would not have a clean run at the player if the interest becomes concrete. Second, it puts financial discipline even more in focus, because a contested deal can quickly push the price or wage demands higher.

That could be decisive here. Mundo Deportivo is clear that the reported valuation already looks steep for both clubs. If City are truly aiming to recover a figure around what the Spanish report states, Madrid would have to decide whether Reijnders is a priority target or simply one attractive option among several midfield names being discussed internally.

In other words, this is the kind of story that can move in two very different directions. It can either accelerate if Madrid see a market opportunity, or cool quickly if the numbers stop making sense. At this stage, the second possibility cannot be ignored because the article itself presents price as the main problem.

What this means for Real Madrid

For Madrid fans, the most important takeaway is not that a deal is close. It is that the club’s midfield planning appears active and ambitious. Mundo Deportivo frames Reijnders as part of the search for players for the next project, which points to Madrid thinking beyond short-term patchwork and toward a broader squad refresh.

That is also why this story opens up wider questions that supporters will keep following closely. If Madrid are really exploring players like Reijnders, then the conversation is not only about one possible signing. It is also about what kind of midfield the club wants to build, how much athleticism and creativity it feels it needs, and whether the next phase of the squad will prioritize versatility over specialist profiles. This is an inference drawn from the transfer link and Reijnders’ reported skill set.

Those questions connect naturally to bigger Real Madrid coverage too. A midfielder link like this always leads readers toward the club’s transfer priorities, possible tactical adjustments, and which current players could benefit most from a new presence in the middle of the pitch. That is where this rumor has value even before anything concrete happens.

What happens next

The next step is simple: more reporting needs to arrive. Right now, the strongest confirmed facts are that Reijnders is a Manchester City player on a five-year contract and that Mundo Deportivo says both Real Madrid and Juventus are being linked with him while price remains the major issue.

Until there is confirmation of talks, a bid, or stronger alignment from multiple outlets, this should be treated as a developing transfer story rather than an advanced negotiation. Still, the Tijjani Reijnders Real Madrid angle is strong enough to watch closely, because it fits a real squad need and involves a midfielder whose profile would make obvious sense in Madrid’s next rebuild.

Sources Used:

• Mundo Deportivo (https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20260505/1004179159/batalla-real-madrid-juventus-jugador-city.html)
• Manchester City (https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/manchester-city-sign-tijjani-reijnders-ac-milan-transfer-63885221)
• Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/man-city-sign-dutch-midfielder-reijnders-ahead-club-world-cup-2025-06-11/)