Juventus Target Tijjani Reijnders Amid Kessié Talks

Juventus have opened a new line of enquiry in their search for a midfielder, sounding out Manchester City over a possible move for Tijjani Reijnders as patience wears thin in the pursuit of Franck Kessié.

According to reports from Italy, the Turin club have made initial, exploratory contact on two fronts: with Reijnders’ camp to understand how open the Dutchman is to a switch to Serie A, and with City to check whether a loan deal would even be on the table. At this stage there is no formal negotiation, no figures on the table, just a conversation that both sides expect to keep alive in the coming days.

Reijnders is an intriguing name for Juventus. A Netherlands international, he knows Serie A and its demands from his time at Milan and moved to City only a year ago for around €55 million after a standout spell. He started brightly in England, but has already slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad, a victim of the depth and constant churn in Pep Guardiola’s midfield.

That situation has opened a window. Juventus, keen to inject fresh energy and versatility into the middle of the pitch, see Reijnders as a profile that fits a rebuild. The interest is not accidental; it is a direct response to the slowing of the Kessié operation.

Kessié, another former Milan midfielder and a free agent since 30 June, has been edging closer to an agreement with the Bianconeri in recent days. The outlines of a deal are there, but the Ivorian has no intention of waiting forever. He has made it clear he wants his future settled quickly, and the longer the talks drag, the more Juventus risk losing control of the situation.

So the club are hedging, quietly preparing a Plan B. Reijnders’ candidacy has gathered momentum precisely because the Kessié deal has not yet been closed. Juventus do not want to be left scrambling in the final weeks of the window if their primary target walks away.

There is another obstacle, and it lies inside the dressing room. Juventus already have a crowded midfield, with eight players currently on the books. Any new arrival, whether Kessié or Reijnders, will almost certainly depend on departures. At least one, and probably more than one, midfielder will need to move on before a fresh face can be added to the mix.

For now, the Reijnders talks remain at the feeler stage. The idea is on the table, the contacts have been made, and the player’s situation at City offers an opening. The question is whether Juventus can clear space, move quickly, and turn a tentative conversation into a concrete deal before someone else steps into the gap.