Sarcasm alert: Manchester City are reportedly ready to cash in on Reijnders after Pep Guardiola’s departure, with Atlético Madrid waiting to snap up a bargain from the Etihad

Manchester City fans must be feeling whiplash. Just weeks after waving an emotional goodbye to Pep Guardiola, the club that once hoarded talent like dragons guarding gold is already showing signs of a post-Pep clear-out sale — and Tijjani Reijnders appears to be item number one on the discount rack.

The Dutch midfielder, who joined from AC Milan last summer in a £46.5 million deal with a contract running until 2030, is now being heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid. According to Spanish reports, Atletico have opened formal talks with City over the 27-year-old as Diego Simeone looks to overhaul his midfield this summer.

How quickly things change at the Etihad.

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Under Guardiola, Reijnders showed flashes of quality — seven goals and eight assists in 47 appearances — but never quite nailed down a consistent starting role. Now, with the Catalan maestro gone and Enzo Maresca preparing to take over, it seems the new regime isn’t quite as attached to last summer’s big signing. City, it appears, are suddenly very open to offers.

Atletico Madrid, never ones to miss a potential bargain, are licking their lips. While they await a decision from Bernardo Silva (another former City player), Reijnders has emerged as a realistic target in their midfield rebuild. The Spanish club have already agreed a deal for Wolves’ Joao Gomes and are looking for more reinforcements after mixed results from last year’s arrivals.

The irony is delicious. Manchester City — the club that spent years building a super squad under Guardiola — now look ready to start shifting pieces before the new manager has even officially started. Reijnders, signed with big expectations, could be heading for the exit door after just one season. Atletico are simply waiting for the price to drop so they can enjoy some classic “buy low from City” business.

Let’s be honest — this is peak modern football comedy. City spent big on Reijnders, gave him 47 games, decided he wasn’t quite elite enough for their sky-high standards, and now seem willing to let him go while the ink on his long-term contract is barely dry. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid, masters of clever recruitment, are hovering like opportunistic shoppers at an end-of-season sale.

Reijnders himself has admitted to some “sloppiness” in City’s recent performances. Whether that played a part in his potential departure remains to be seen, but the timing is certainly convenient for all parties. City get some funds back. Atletico get a talented, still-young midfielder at a potentially reduced fee. Reijnders gets a fresh start where he might actually play regularly.

Enzo Maresca hasn’t even unpacked his bags at the Etihad yet, but the summer clear-out vibes are already strong. Will Maresca want to assess Reijnders himself, or has the decision already been made higher up? The Dutchman’s future now hangs in the balance.

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For Manchester City supporters, this feels like a strange new era. After years of building a dynasty where players rarely left unless they wanted to, the post-Pep period is already bringing uncertainty. Selling a midfielder signed less than a year ago sends a clear message — standards remain sky high, and no one is guaranteed a future.

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, must be delighted. They’ve been rebuilding smartly under Simeone, and landing Reijnders would be another shrewd addition to a midfield that desperately needs fresh legs and quality.

The transfer window hasn’t even officially opened, but the Tijjani Reijnders saga is already providing plenty of entertainment. Will City drive a hard bargain, or will they let Atletico have their “hời” (bargain) as many are predicting?

One thing is certain: the Pep Guardiola era is truly over, and the new chapter at Manchester City is already full of surprises — some of them involving selling players they signed with big hopes just 12 months ago.

Football never stops delivering drama.