Reijnders Faces Major Decision as Man City and Al-Qadsiah Negotiate €60m Transfer
Tijjani Reijnders is suddenly staring at one of the biggest decisions of his career.
Manchester City and Al-Qadsiah are in advanced negotiations over a transfer worth around €60 million, according to Fabrizio Romano, with talks between the clubs described as close to completion. The fee is effectively agreed. The player is not.
Reijnders has yet to be fully convinced by the move, leaving the deal in a delicate phase while the Saudi club pushes to land a high-profile European midfielder.
Saudi millions on the table, Forest in the background
Al-Qadsiah’s offer would mark a swift and lucrative twist in Reijnders’ journey. City only brought him in from AC Milan last summer for €55 million after he had established himself as one of the standout performers in Serie A.
Now, just a year on, the 28-year-old could be on the move again.
Nottingham Forest are keeping a close eye on the situation. They are keen on the Netherlands international and are monitoring developments, ready to act if the Saudi proposal stalls or if Reijnders decides he wants to remain in the Premier League.
For now, though, the real tug-of-war is between City’s willingness to cash in and Al-Qadsiah’s determination to get their man.
From fast start to bench battles at City
Reijnders arrived in Manchester with momentum and expectation. Fresh from shining at AC Milan, he slotted into City’s midfield and started strongly, showing the range of passing and composure that made him such a coveted signing.
The season did not end the way it began.
As the campaign wore on, Reijnders gradually slipped down the pecking order and found himself on the bench more often. Despite that, his numbers underline that he still made a solid impact: 2,810 minutes in all competitions, seven goals – five of them in the Premier League – and eight assists.
Those are not the statistics of a bit-part player. Yet at a club stacked with elite midfielders and under contract until mid-2030, the 35-cap international now has to weigh up whether he sees a clear path back to being a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola’s successor.
Follow Summerville’s path or fight for his place?
The Saudi Pro League has already tempted one of his international teammates. Crysencio Summerville moved to Al-Hilal after a strong World Cup, swapping European competition for a different kind of spotlight and financial security.
Reijnders could be next.
The choice is stark. Stay at Manchester City, fight his way back into the core of the side, and keep himself at the sharpest edge of European football. Or take the Al-Qadsiah offer, become a marquee name in Saudi Arabia, and join the growing group of Netherlands internationals heading east.
With City open to a sale at €60 million, the decision now rests with Reijnders. Does he double down on the Premier League challenge, with Nottingham Forest lurking as an alternative route, or step into a new world entirely?
