Tijjani Reijnders is officially out at Manchester City, heading to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah in a massive deal reportedly worth 61 million euros, or a cool $71 million! The Dutch midfielder finalized the move on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after an AFP correspondent spotted him arriving at Al Khobar headquarters the day before. This isn’t just some minor roster tweak; this is a huge chunk of change changing hands for a player who was a significant part of City’s recent success, and it signals a serious shift in the Premier League giants’ lineup.
Reijnders Takes The $71 Million Saudi Payday
You gotta hand it to Al Qadsiah; they aren’t messing around! Signing Reijnders to a contract running all the way until 2031 is a huge statement, especially considering he still had four years left on his Manchester City deal. He only joined City in June 2025 from AC Milan, meaning he’s jumping ship after just over a year at the Etihad. That’s a quick turnaround for a guy who made 50 appearances under Pep Guardiola and was a key piece in their FA Cup and League Cup wins last season, even bagging seven goals in 47 appearances across all competitions. This isn’t some bench warmer; this is a World Cup representative for the Netherlands, a real talent. For Al Qadsiah, backed by Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco and coached by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, this acquisition screams ambition. They’re dropping serious cash to build something big, and Reijnders is now a cornerstone.
What Reijnders’ Exit Means For Pep’s Midfield
Now, let’s talk about what this means for Manchester City. Reijnders’ departure is the latest in what’s becoming a pretty significant midfield reshuffle. We just saw Rodri make the move to Barcelona, and now Reijnders is gone too. This isn’t just one player leaving; it’s two massive cogs in the midfield engine room! Reijnders himself had been training separately from the first-team squad last week, and he even missed City’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield. You don’t just sit out a player of his caliber unless something big is brewing. The club’s also been linked with Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, which tells you everything about their immediate need. They’re not just looking for a replacement; they’re looking to redefine their midfield entirely. It’s either a master plan we don’t fully grasp yet, or a serious scramble to fill some gigantic shoes.
Reijnders himself, ever the pro, said he was “incredibly privileged to play for Manchester City” and would “savour forever” being part of the squad that won those “two such special trophies” last season. But those words are barely out there and he’s off to Saudi. For Al Qadsiah, the stakes are clear: build a powerhouse with players like Reijnders leading the charge under Brendan Rodgers. For Man City, the question isn’t just who’s coming in next, but whether this aggressive midfield makeover will pay off as they chase more silverware this season. You know Pep’s got a plan, but watching how this plays out for City’s midfield will be absolutely wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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