Reijnders set for Al-Qadsiah move as Manchester City agree €61m transfer

Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement for Tijjani Reijnders to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah in one of the biggest deals of the summer transfer window.

The English club have agreed to receive about €61m for the Netherlands midfielder, according to respected Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The two clubs have begun exchanging the required documents, with the final signatures and an official announcement expected in the coming hours.

Reijnders did not take part in Manchester City’s training session on the day the agreement was reported. His absence is understood to reflect the advanced stage of the transfer, with the player now waiting for permission to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Once that clearance is granted, Reijnders is expected to join Al-Qadsiah and undergo his medical before completing the move.

The transfer represents a major investment by Al-Qadsiah and is another indication of the Saudi Pro League’s continuing efforts to attract prominent players from Europe’s leading competitions. The fee also reflects the importance Manchester City placed on Reijnders when he arrived from Milan only 12 months ago.

Reijnders had been regarded as an important addition to City’s midfield and produced performances that attracted interest from a number of clubs. However, his overall contribution did not meet the expectations of the club’s management, and he failed to convince the decision-makers that he should remain part of the team’s long-term plans.

Al-Qadsiah’s sporting ambitions and the scale of the offer ultimately persuaded the midfielder to consider a move to the Saudi Pro League. His arrival is expected to give the club a significant boost as they seek to challenge strongly for the higher positions next season.

The Saudi side are building their squad around established international talent, and Reijnders is viewed as a player capable of making a decisive impact in midfield. His technical ability and experience in one of Europe’s major leagues are expected to strengthen the team as they prepare for the new campaign.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have begun considering how to rebuild their midfield once Reijnders’ departure is completed. The club have identified Moroccan prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi, described as a rising star at Lille, as their leading candidate to fill the anticipated gap.

Bouaddi has been placed at the top of City’s list of potential replacements, although an alternative remains under consideration. Argentina international Enzo Fernandez, the Chelsea midfielder, is also still firmly in the frame and remains a prominent option in the club’s discussions.

The expected departure comes just a year after Reijnders moved to Manchester City from Milan, but the club are now preparing for a change in the centre of the pitch. With the paperwork already being exchanged between City and Al-Qadsiah, the deal is close to becoming official.