Tijjani Reijnders misses Manchester City training amid Al-Qadsiah transfer talks

Tijjani Reijnders was absent from Manchester City’s open training session on Tuesday as speculation continued over a possible move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah.

The Netherlands midfielder has been linked with a departure from Manchester City, with several clubs understood to be monitoring his situation. According to The Athletic, his absence from the session may be connected to ongoing negotiations with Al-Qadsiah over a move to the Saudi league.

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano reported that discussions between Manchester City and Al-Qadsiah have reached an advanced stage. The two clubs are believed to be nearing an agreement over a transfer fee of 60m euros.

Nottingham Forest are also following developments. They have shown an interest in signing Reijnders and are monitoring the negotiations between Manchester City and Al-Qadsiah.

Reijnders still has a long-term contract with Manchester City, with his current deal running until the summer of 2030. However, his future has become uncertain despite having joined the club only in the summer of 2025.

Manchester City signed the midfielder from Milan for 55m euros after he had established himself as one of the Italian club’s standout players. He made a positive start to life at Manchester City, but his role gradually became less prominent as the season progressed, with the player finding himself on the substitutes’ bench at various points.

Reijnders played 2,810 minutes for Manchester City last season. He scored seven goals, including five in the Premier League, and also provided eight assists.

A move to Al-Qadsiah would see Reijnders follow fellow Netherlands international Crysencio Summerville in moving to Saudi Arabia. Summerville joined Al-Hilal after impressing with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

The latest developments come as Manchester City continue to assess their squad and prepare for the next stage of their campaign. Reijnders’ absence from the media-open session has added to the speculation surrounding his position, although no transfer has yet been confirmed.

Should the proposed deal be completed, Reijnders would leave Manchester City after one season at the club. The reported 60m-euro fee would represent an increase on the 55m euros Manchester City paid to sign him from Milan in 2025.

For now, Nottingham Forest remain interested and are watching the situation, while negotiations between Manchester City and Al-Qadsiah continue.