Reijnders Faces Dilemma as Al Qadsiah Offers €60 Million
Tijjani Reijnders is already staring at a major decision just a year into his Manchester City career. The Dutch midfielder, signed with big expectations, now has a huge offer on the table – and a dilemma to match.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano and other outlets report that Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah have submitted a €60 million bid for the 28-year-old. City are said to have accepted. The framework is in place. Only one signature is missing: Reijnders’.
He is hesitating.
At 28, the Netherlands international is in the heart of his prime. A move to Saudi Arabia would transform his bank balance, with wages expected to dwarf anything on offer in England or from elsewhere in Europe. Yet the timing, the level, the competitive edge of his career – all of that hangs in the balance.
Nottingham Forest and Galatasaray have also registered their interest. They cannot match the Saudi money, but they can offer something different: European football, Premier League intensity, a more traditional path for a player who still has plenty to prove at the highest level.
Valuable but Not Untouchable at City
On paper, Reijnders has done plenty to justify his place. Under Pep Guardiola last season, he was a regular part of the rotation, even if he never quite broke into the small inner circle of guaranteed starters.
He still racked up 50 appearances across all competitions, contributing directly to 15 goals – seven of his own and eight assists. Those are strong numbers for a midfielder operating between the lines and in central areas, the zones where his vision and timing shine most.
But Guardiola is gone. Enzo Maresca is in. And with the new coach comes a very different landscape in City’s midfield.
Maresca already has a crowded cast in the positions where Reijnders operates. Club-record €135 million signing Elliot Anderson arrives with the expectation of minutes and influence. Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Claudio Echeverri can all slot into central or attacking midfield roles.
That is a lot of traffic in the same lane.
For Reijnders, the message is clear: he is valued, but far from indispensable. In such a stacked department, any hesitation about his future is understandable, especially with a life-changing contract waiting in Saudi Arabia.
Rodri Domino and the Enzo Fernández Plan
City’s midfield picture could still change dramatically. Rodri, the cornerstone of their era of dominance, is being heavily courted by Barcelona. No agreement has been reached on a fee, and his future remains unresolved, but the interest is real and persistent.
If the Spanish world and European champion does depart, City will not sit still. The club are expected to move aggressively in the market, and one name sits at the top of their list: Enzo Fernández.
Maresca knows Fernández well from their time together at Chelsea and views him as the ideal solution at the base and heart of midfield. Chelsea, though, are not in a charitable mood. According to The Athletic, the London club have set a firm deadline for suitors such as City and Real Madrid: until Friday evening, €140 million must be on the table, or the door closes.
That potential domino only sharpens the stakes for Reijnders. If Rodri stays and Fernández arrives, competition in midfield becomes even more brutal. If Rodri leaves and City land Fernández, the shape of the team shifts again, but the level of internal rivalry remains sky high.
So Reijnders stands at a fork in the road: stay and fight for minutes in one of the deepest midfields in Europe, or cash in on his prime years with a blockbuster move to Al Qadsiah.
For a player on the edge of his peak, this isn’t just another transfer window choice. It could define the rest of his career.
