Nottingham Forest Eye £55m Reijnders as Midfield Target

Forest Plot £55m Move for Reijnders

Nottingham Forest are reportedly preparing an ambitious bid for Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, with the club looking to bolster their engine room ahead of a demanding Premier League campaign. According to reports, the Midlands outfit are willing to pay in the region of £55 million to secure the Dutchman's services.

Who is Tijjani Reijnders?

Reijnders, 27, joined Manchester City in the summer of 2024 from AC Milan for a fee believed to be around £45 million. Since then, he has established himself as a regular in Pep Guardiola's midfield, contributing 17 goals and 22 assists in all competitions over two seasons. His ability to dictate tempo, break lines with passing, and arrive late in the box has made him one of the Premier League's most complete central midfielders.

Forest's Midfield Rebuild

Nottingham Forest are clearly intent on strengthening their midfield after a season that saw them finish 14th in the Premier League. With Ryan Yates and Danilo the current first-choice pairing, Forest have lacked creativity in the middle of the park. Reijnders would bring a new dimension, offering the kind of progressive passing that can unlock deep-lying defences. His arrival would also provide cover for the injury-prone Ibrahim Sangaré and allow head coach Steve Cooper to switch between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 formation seamlessly.

Forest's recruitment under their current ownership has been bold, with over £200 million spent on new players in the last two seasons. However, they have been criticised for a lack of quality in midfield, and this move would be a statement of intent. The fee of £55 million would make Reijnders their second-most expensive signing ever, behind only the £60 million paid for João Pedro in 2023.

Reijnders' fit at the City Ground

Reijnders is a player who thrives in a system that allows him to drift between the lines and support attacks. His heat maps from last season show him frequently occupying the right half-space, a position that Forest's right-back, Neco Williams, often exploits. This could create a devastating overload on that flank, with Reijnders linking up with winger Morgan Gibbs-White and striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Cooper's side scored just 38 goals last season, the fifth-lowest in the division, so adding a midfielder of Reijnders' creativity is a clear priority.

Defensively, Reijnders is not a natural screening midfielder. He averages 1.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, decent numbers but not elite. He would need a disciplined partner alongside him, and Forest already have the perfect foil in Yates, who excels at winning the ball back. This pairing could offer the ideal balance of industry and invention.

Financial Implications and FPL Impact

From a Fantasy Premier League perspective, Reijnders would be an intriguing prospect. Priced at £8.5m in FPL, he would likely be a differential pick, with ownership expected to be low. He has proven he can deliver points, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in the Premier League last season. With Forest's favourable opening fixtures against newly promoted sides, he could be a bargain for early-season fantasy managers.

However, the £55m fee raises questions about Financial Fair Play. Forest have been careful to stay within the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules, but a significant outlay would require player sales. The rumour mill suggests that Forest may listen to offers for Anthony Elanga or Emmanuel Dennis to offset the cost. Given their recent history of splashing out on multiple targets only to survive a points deduction last season, this is a gamble they may be willing to take.

What's Next?

Manchester City are not thought to be actively looking to sell, but with Reijnders entering the prime of his career and the player reportedly keen on a guaranteed starting spot ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a move could materialise. Forest's first official bid is expected in the coming days, with personal terms likely to be straightforward. If they succeed, it would be a major coup for a club of Forest's stature, and it could signal their intent to challenge for a top-ten finish. The coming weeks will be crucial as negotiations take shape.

For City, losing Reijnders would be a blow, but they have ample depth in midfield with Bernardo Silva and Rodri adept at filling the same role. The club may demand a fee closer to £70m given his contract runs until 2028, but Forest are hoping that a £55m offer plus add-ons will be enough. The next few days will reveal whether this ambitious pursuit turns into a reality.