Tier 2: Forest test Manchester City resolve for Reijnders

Nottingham Forest have identified Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders as a primary target for the final month of the summer window. Reports from the Daily Mail indicate that Forest are prepared to facilitate a deal valued at £55m for the Dutch international, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium just last summer.

The move represents a significant statement of intent from the City Ground. Forest are attempting to bolster their midfield engine room after a campaign defined by inconsistent output. Reijnders, known for his relentless transition work and ball-carrying ability, fits the profile of a modern box-to-box operator that Nuno Espírito Santo craves.

Tactical profile and the Etihad reality

Reijnders struggled to secure a permanent foothold in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI during his debut season. While his versatility is evident, the congestion in Manchester City’s creative midfield areas—anchored by Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne—leaves little room for rotation.

Tactically, the transition to Nottingham Forest would require a shift in defensive burden. At City, he operated in a high-possession machine; at Forest, he would be expected to anchor a transition-heavy side. The physicality of the Premier League is a known quantity for him, but his ability to dictate a game without elite-level support around him remains an untested proposition.

Financial viability and market context

The £55m valuation is aggressive for a player who has spent most of his recent minutes on the bench. For Manchester City, this represents an opportunity to recoup capital following heavy investment across their squad. The club has been active in moving fringe players to balance books, and a sale of this magnitude aligns with that strategy.

However, critics will point to Reijnders’ lack of Premier League defensive output as a potential stumbling block. His defensive stats from the 2025/26 season indicate a player who is prone to drifting out of position when the opposition hits on the break. If Forest pay a premium fee, they are betting on his potential ceiling rather than his immediate consistency.

The probability and timeline

As noted by the BBC, the gossip surrounding this deal has gained traction as the deadline approaches. The window remains open until September 1, giving the parties involved roughly four weeks to bridge the gap.

Probability: Low to Medium. While the interest is confirmed, Manchester City rarely sanction exits for talented younger players unless the structure of the deal is perfect. Forest must convince the player that the City Ground is the right venue to restart a career that currently holds the prestige of a Treble-winning squad.

The expected impact of a move

Should the deal reach completion, Reijnders would immediately become the focal point of the Nottingham Forest midfield. He brings a level of technical security that the team lacked in the final third last year. If he settles, he provides an elite outlet for rapid counter-attacks.

The risk is clear: the player may suffer from a drop in intensity playing outside the elite tactical structure he has been accustomed to in Manchester. His transition to a team fighting for mid-table stability rather than league titles will be the defining challenge of his season. If he cannot adapt to the increased defensive responsibility, the club could find itself over-leveraged on a player who doesn't solve their structural issues at the back.

The coming weeks will be telling. Watch for movement regarding personal terms by mid-August. If no progress is made by the 20th of August, expect Forest to pivot toward cheaper, alternative targets as they look to secure their squad depth before the window closes.