Tijjani Reijnders played a key role in Manchester City’s 3-1 friendly victory against the K League All-Stars on Wednesday in Seoul, but head coach Enzo Maresca offered no clear indication about the midfielder’s future with the club. Reijnders, who joined City just last year, scored one goal and assisted another in the match held under intense heat and high humidity, conditions that prompted health warnings from the Korean government.
The victory marked Manchester City’s first under Maresca following their penalty shootout loss to Inter Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday. Goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri, Reijnders, and Divin Mubama secured the win in front of a crowd of 28,000 at the stadium.
Despite Reijnders’ impressive display, speculation continues regarding his potential departure this summer. Reports have linked the 28-year-old Dutch midfielder with a £55 million move to Nottingham Forest, while Turkish club Galatasaray has also expressed interest. Maresca acknowledged the ongoing transfer talks but emphasized his commitment to supporting all players currently with the squad. “He is here with us and it is my duty to do the best for all the players here—until the day they are not here. But he’s been working well since he came back from his holidays and I’m very happy with his performances,” Maresca said.
Reijnders’ immediate future may also hinge on the club’s pursuit of Morocco’s highly rated 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at around £85 million. The arrival of such a player could influence squad decisions in midfield.
The match itself started brightly for City, with Reijnders orchestrating the opening goal. After showcasing his dribbling skills on the right flank, he set up Ait-Nouri, who scored in the ninth minute. The K League All-Stars responded swiftly, with Kim Dae-won equalizing three minutes later. City restored their advantage through Reijnders in a well-executed move after a combination between Antoine Semenyo and Rico Lewis. Divin Mubama then sealed the win by converting a rebound in the 23rd minute.
New signing Jeremy Monga, 17, made his first appearance and showed promise, though the scoreline remained unchanged for the rest of the match.
Another player attracting transfer speculation is Savinho, the 22-year-old Brazilian forward who struggled to make an impact after coming on as a substitute. Savinho is reportedly interested in leaving Manchester City this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur linked as a potential destination. Maresca acknowledged the transfer rumors surrounding Savinho and others in the squad, noting that with the window still open, changes could occur. “We want to help him improve but with the transfer window open anything can happen and we have to be ready for that,” the coach said.
Manchester City are scheduled to conclude their Far East tour on Sunday with a friendly against Atletico Madrid in Seoul.