Manchester City have continued their midfield overhaul by selling Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah in a deal reportedly worth £52 million ($70 million), less than a year after his arrival from AC Milan.
The Premier League champions confirmed the transfer on Wednesday, with Al-Qadsiah also announcing that the 28-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract with the Saudi club.
The transfer fee is expected to help City recover a significant portion of their summer spending as the club reshapes its midfield following the departure of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to Barcelona earlier this week. Reports indicate that City’s earnings from the sales of Reijnders and Rodri have substantially offset their recent investment in new midfield reinforcements.
Under new manager Enzo Maresca, City have moved aggressively in the transfer market, securing the signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million ($158 million). The club is also said to be pursuing highly rated Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, who enhanced his reputation with impressive performances for Morocco at the FIFA World Cup.
Reijnders’ spell at the Etihad Stadium lasted just one season, but he played a key role in helping City secure both domestic cup trophies during the campaign.
Reflecting on his brief stay in Manchester, the midfielder thanked supporters in a farewell message posted on Instagram.
“Two finals at Wembley and a season I’ll always look back on. Thank you, City,” he wrote.
On the international stage, Reijnders featured in all three of the Netherlands’ group-stage matches at the World Cup. However, he lost his place in the starting line-up during the knockout phase and was among the substitutes as the Dutch were eliminated by Morocco in a Round-of-32 penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
His new club, Al-Qadsiah, are emerging as one of the ambitious sides in Saudi Arabian football. Based in the eastern coastal city of Al Khobar, the club finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season and is managed by former Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.
The acquisition of Reijnders represents another high-profile signing for Al-Qadsiah as the club seeks to strengthen its squad and challenge the traditional powerhouses of Saudi football, while Manchester City continue their search for the next key piece in Maresca’s evolving midfield setup.
