Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has completed a transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah from Manchester City. The move is reported to be worth approximately £52 million. Reijnders, who is 28 years old, joined City last summer in a £46.5 million deal from AC Milan.
During his time at City, Reijnders made 50 appearances across all competitions and scored seven goals. He was part of the squad that secured both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in what was Pep Guardiola’s final season as manager. Despite these team successes, reports indicate he struggled to make a significant impact during his single season with the club.
Reijnders also featured for the Netherlands national team, starting all three of their group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup. However, he was an unused substitute in their subsequent round-of-32 defeat to Morocco.
Reijnders’ new club and contract details
Reijnders has reportedly signed a five-year contract with Al-Qadsiah. The Saudi club is managed by Brendan Rodgers, who previously held managerial roles at Liverpool and Celtic. This transfer marks a new chapter for the midfielder in the Saudi Pro League.
His departure follows his exclusion from City’s squad for the recent Community Shield match, where the team experienced a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal. City’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, made the decision to leave Reijnders out of the squad for that fixture.
Reijnders expressed his gratitude for his time at Manchester City, stating he felt privileged to play for the club and relished every minute. He thanked the players, coaches, and staff for making him feel welcome and part of the City family, and also extended his appreciation to the fans for their support.
Midfield changes at Manchester City
Reijnders is one of several midfielders to depart Manchester City this summer. Rodri, a Spain international, completed a £65 million move to Barcelona. Additionally, Bernardo Silva left the club after his contract expired, subsequently signing with Real Madrid on a free transfer.
The club is also seeing other potential movements in its midfield. Nico Gonzalez, another Spain international, has been linked with a move to Newcastle. Manchester City is reportedly in advanced discussions with Lille regarding a deal for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Furthermore, City has not abandoned hopes of acquiring Chelsea’s midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Meanwhile, other clubs are also active in strengthening their midfields. Manchester United has reportedly submitted a £65 million offer for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. This proposal includes £60 million upfront and an additional £5 million in add-ons, though it is said to be below Brighton’s valuation. Baleba, a 22-year-old Cameroon international, has reportedly agreed to personal terms with United, with negotiations between the clubs ongoing. United has already signed Belgium international Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million, with Baleba expected to replace Casemiro in defensive midfield.
In Italy, Inter Milan is in discussions with Liverpool for a potential deal involving English midfielder Curtis Jones. Inter has reportedly offered up to €35 million, which is equivalent to around £30 million. Jones, who is 25 years old, has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool. He has made 228 appearances for the club since his senior debut in 2019. Last season, he played 49 times across all competitions but only started 18 Premier League matches.
The transfer of Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah was completed on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
Source: bbc.com
