Manchester City is intensifying their pursuit of Tijjani Reijnders, reportedly reaching a 'personal terms' agreement with the talented midfielder. However, a standoff with AC Milan over his transfer fee looms large.

Reijnders has emerged as City's prime candidate for the No 8 role as Pep Guardiola prepares for a significant team overhaul this summer. With veteran Ilkay Gundogan on the decline and Bernardo Silva's future in doubt, City aims to inject fresh talent and dynamism into their engine room.

As negotiations unfold, City finds themselves in competition with heavyweights like Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid for the 26-year-old's signature.

According to Sky Sport Switzerland reporter Sacha Tavolieri, City's new director of football, Hugo Viana, has made strides toward securing Reijnders, showing the player immense enthusiasm about joining the Etihad squad. The midfielder has openly expressed his desire to thrive under Guardiola’s mentorship.

Reijnders looks set to prioritize a switch to Manchester over other potential suitors, seeing Guardiola as the ideal coach to elevate his game to a world-class level.

While Milan has allowed City to enter talks, a consensus on the transfer fee remains elusive. Reports indicate City made an opening offer of €60 million (£50.5 million / $68 million) for Reijnders, which Milan rejected. Viana plans to follow up with a more lucrative €70 million (£59 million / $79 million) bid.

However, Milan is steadfast in their demands, seeking closer to their hefty €90 million (£76 million / $101 million) asking price before considering Reijnders' exit.

As negotiations heat up, City is eager to pair Reijnders with Rodri in the midfield for the upcoming season. Earlier in March, reports confirmed that City had already expressed interest in the Serie A star’s availability.

In addition to Reijnders, City has their eyes set on other Milan talents. French left-back Theo Hernandez is reportedly under consideration, alongside the need for a high-profile No 10 to succeed iconic playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz is at the top of City's wishlist, with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White as a secondary option.