Al-Qadsiah agree deal with Manchester City to sign Tijjani Reijnders

Al-Qadsiah have reached a final agreement with Manchester City to sign Tijjani Reijnders during the current summer transfer window, according to The Athletic.

The two clubs had been involved in advanced discussions over a move for the Netherlands midfielder, with Al-Qadsiah keen to complete the deal before the start of the Saudi Pro League season.

Al-Qadsiah began their league campaign with a 3-1 victory over Al-Shabab on Thursday evening. The agreement with Manchester City now gives the Saudi club the opportunity to add Reijnders to their squad after their winning opening fixture.

Reijnders joined Manchester City only one season ago after leaving AC Milan. He signed a contract that runs until 2030, but his prospects of establishing himself as a regular starter next season have become less certain following the club’s recruitment plans.

Manchester City have signed Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest, while they are also potentially set to bring in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Those developments could increase competition for places in midfield and have contributed to uncertainty over Reijnders’ role.

Nottingham Forest had also shown interest in signing Reijnders during the summer, although Al-Qadsiah have now reached an agreement with Manchester City.

The 27-year-old left AC Milan after being named the best midfielder in Serie A. During his final season with the Italian club, he scored 15 goals in all competitions, making 63 appearances out of the 64 matches AC Milan played in total.

Reijnders made 47 appearances for Manchester City last season. He scored five goals and supplied two assists during that campaign.

His possible move to Al-Qadsiah would therefore come only a year after his arrival at Manchester City and would represent a swift change in his club career. However, the agreement reported by The Athletic is between the clubs, and the transfer is yet to be completed.

For Al-Qadsiah, the proposed signing would follow a convincing start to their Saudi Pro League campaign, with the club having already recorded a three-goal victory over Al-Shabab. The side had hoped to finalise the move before the league began, and the latest development indicates that negotiations have now reached their decisive stage.

Reijnders’ future has been a subject of growing attention since Manchester City strengthened their midfield options. While he remains under contract with the club until 2030, the arrival of Anderson and the potential signing of Fernandez have raised questions over how regularly he would feature in the starting line-up next season.

The Athletic’s report says Al-Qadsiah and Manchester City have settled the terms of the proposed transfer, with the Saudi club now seeking to complete the move for a player who was regarded as one of Serie A’s leading midfielders before his switch to England.