Real Madrid is undergoing a change of cycle, not only because of the arrival of Xabi Alonso on the bench, but also because of changes in the squad and the way they play. Creating a new project is not always an easy task and certainly involves a large outlay of money to bring in new players. Specifically, the white team has already invested more than 180 million in four players: Dean Huijsen, Trent, Mastantuono and Álvaro Carreras. There are names that have been left out and others that are on the agenda but will not arrive. One of the names that was mentioned a lot but ended up going to Manchester City was Tijjani Reijnders, whom the club did not go all out to sign.
A need in midfield
The name Tijjani Reijnders came up during a summer in which Real Madrid has been scouring the market in search of a signing for a midfield that has been missing a piece all season. The departure of Toni Kroos last summer left the team reeling, and it did not go to the market at that time, blaming the German’s absence throughout the season. There is no one in the squad with such a complete profile as his, both offensively and defensively, and Ancelotti did not focus on developing any of the players in his squad. A leader and an architect were needed, and names have been circulating for the last few months.
Names such as Angelo Stiller, who fits the profile sought by the Stuttgart midfielder, Adam Wharton, Rayan Cherki, Exequiel Palacios, and those who have been mentioned most in recent weeks due to their quality and exorbitant price, which makes them impossible signings: Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, and Rodri, have all been linked with the club. Also on that list of candidates was Tijjiani Reijnders, who opted for Guardiola’s City.
The profile of Tijjani Reijnders
Tijjiani Reijnders came onto the radar of the Whites after his great game this season at the Santiago Bernabéu with Milan. The Dutch midfielder put on a show against Madrid. He scored a goal, but beyond that, he had a 98% pass completion rate, the highest against the Whites in the history of the competition. Reijnders shared the midfield with a more defensive Fofana, which allowed the now City player to play freely throughout the midfield and showcase one of his best qualities: getting into the box. The Dutch international made a total of 104 appearances and scored 19 goals during his time in Serie A.
Real Madrid put two players ahead of his signing
As we said, one of his main characteristics is that he likes to get into the box and have that attacking presence, and that was the reason that put Real Madrid off signing him. Madrid loved the player, but they saw him in the position of Bellingham/Güler, according to Rodra, and that put a stop to the deal. The Whites were looking for a different type of player and had already signed Franco Mastantuono, who also has a clear offensive character, so the Dutchman did not fit into Real Madrid’s plans. Furthermore, focused on strengthening their defense, they did not want to enter into a bidding war with City, who ended up signing the player, for more than $70 million. This was a very high price to pay for a player who was not guaranteed a starting spot given Xabi Alonso’s plans to return Bellingham to his natural position and convert Arda Güler into the playmaker the team lacks.