Manchester City sells midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi club Al-Qadsiah for 61 million euros

Transfer terms and Milan windfall

Netherlands international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders completed a permanent move from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah on Wednesday for a reported fee of 61 million euros (52 million pounds). The 28-year-old midfielder agreed to terms through 2031, with Italian reports stating his salary will reach 20 million euros per year. The transaction also triggers a contractual clause benefiting AC Milan, who sold Reijnders to City in 2025 for 58 million euros. Because City sold him before 2030, the Italian club receives the full 14 million euros in performance bonuses stipulated in their initial agreement. Milan originally signed Reijnders from Dutch club AZ in 2023 for 20 million euros, lifting their total gross receipts from his transfers to nearly 72 million euros.

Single season in Manchester

Reijnders leaves England after 14 months following his arrival in the late stages of the 2024–2025 campaign. Across all competitions, the midfielder made 50 appearances for Manchester City, scoring seven goals and adding seven assists while helping the team win the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during Pep Guardiola's final season as manager. However, his role diminished toward the end of the campaign, and he remained an unused substitute in tactical setups at the international level during the 2026 World Cup round-of-32 loss against Morocco. Following the arrival of new manager Enzo Maresca, Reijnders trained separately from the first-team squad and was omitted from the matchday roster in Sunday's 3-0 Community Shield defeat against Arsenal.

Reijnders reflected on his time in England upon the announcement of the transfer.

I have been incredibly privileged to play for Manchester City, and I have relished every minute of my time here.

From the very moment I arrived, everyone at the club - players, coaches and staff - made me feel so welcome and a part of the Manchester City family.

Arrival at Al-Qadsiah

Al-Qadsiah announced the signing on Wednesday through a social media campaign referencing painter Vincent van Gogh, culminating in Reijnders appearing in traditional dress. The Saudi Arabian club, backed by state oil company Aramco and based in Al Khobar, is managed by former Liverpool, Leicester City and Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers, who took charge in December 2025. Reijnders joins a roster featuring foreign signings such as Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez, Italian striker Mateo Retegui, Mexican forward Julian Quinones, German midfielder Julian Weigl, Portuguese midfielder Otavio and Moroccan full-back Souffian El Karouani. Al-Qadsiah opened their league season with a 3-1 victory against Al-Shabab and face Al-Ittihad on Friday at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

Shift in Manchester City midfield

The departure of Reijnders marks another change in Manchester City's squad during the summer transfer window. Midfielder Rodri completed a 65-million-pound transfer to Barcelona, while Bernardo Silva departed on a free transfer for Real Madrid after his contract expired. City have entered advanced negotiations with Lille over Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and maintain interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, while Spain international Nico Gonzalez has been linked with Newcastle. Reijnders is also the second Netherlands national team player to move to Saudi Arabia this window, following 24-year-old winger Crysencio Summerville, who joined Al-Hilal from West Ham United for 65 million euros.