Tijjani Reijnders' Father Reveals Reasons Behind Midfielder's Move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah

Tijjani Reijnders recently made headlines with his transfer from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah. The move surprised many, especially since Reijnders is a Dutch international at the peak of his career at 28 years old. While the reported four-year contract worth 100 million euros grabbed attention, his father and advisor, Martin Reijnders, says there's more behind the scenes than just money.

Financial and Sporting Factors at Play

Martin Reijnders spoke openly about the move, admitting the financial reward was significant but pointing out other factors. According to him, the transfer was shaped largely by Manchester City's high valuation demands, which blocked potential European suitors such as Juventus, Newcastle United, and Atletico Madrid who showed interest after Tijjani grew frustrated with his reduced role under manager Enzo Maresca.

Valuation Issues Blocked European Moves

Martin explained that no European club could meet City's asking price. He said, "Tijjani simply couldn’t go just anywhere," emphasizing how only Al Qadsiah had the resources to match the steep fee. The player and his team initially rejected Al Qadsiah’s offer twice before seriously reconsidering it due to the financial gap elsewhere.

Ambition and Playing Time Matter

The Saudi club’s sporting ambitions also influenced the decision. Al Qadsiah qualified for the Asian Champions League and actively recruited international stars to build a strong team in Asia. Martin noted that beyond money, Tijjani wanted regular competitive minutes rather than an uncertain bench role at City. He said, "Money only became a factor when two sporting choices remained."

Looking Ahead

Reijnders leaves Manchester City with achievements including winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the 2025-26 season. He also played for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup. Now, his focus shifts fully to Al Qadsiah as they aim to make an impact on the continental stage. For Tijjani, this transfer closes one chapter and opens a new, challenging, and lucrative adventure abroad.

• Upcoming Matches:
• Premier League: Crystal Palace (CRY) vs Manchester City (MCI) – 28 Aug 2026, 21:00
• Saudi Pro League: Al Qadsiah (ALQ) vs Al-Faisaly (AFS) – 30 Aug 2026, 20:00