Tijjani Reijnders' Father Explains Midfielder's Move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah
Tijjani Reijnders recently left Manchester City for Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah, a move that surprised many considering the midfielder is a Dutch international in his prime at 28. His father and advisor, Martin Reijnders, has now revealed more about what influenced this decision beyond just money.
Financial Demands and European Interest
Martin explained that while the lucrative four-year deal worth around 100 million euros made headlines, there was more complexity behind the scenes. After growing dissatisfied with his role under new manager Enzo Maresca, Tijjani attracted interest from European clubs like Juventus, Newcastle United, and Atletico Madrid.
But according to Martin, the transfer hit a snag because Manchester City set a very high asking price for their player. No European club was willing or able to meet City's valuation. Only Al Qadsiah had the financial strength to match those demands, forcing Reijnders and his team to reconsider the Saudi offer after initially rejecting it twice.
Sporting Ambitions and Playing Time
The Saudi club's sporting project also played a big part. Al Qadsiah recently qualified for the Asian Champions League and has been investing heavily in international talent to build a strong presence in Asian football.
Martin pointed out that while the financial package was impressive, money only tipped the balance once two sporting options were on the table: staying on the bench at City or playing regularly within a system designed for him at Al Qadsiah.
"Money only became a factor when two sporting choices remained," Martin said.
Looking Ahead
Tijjani leaves England having won both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during the 2025–26 season and after representing the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup. Now, his focus turns fully to his new chapter in the Middle East where he hopes to secure consistent minutes and help Al Qadsiah achieve their continental ambitions.
- FA Cup 2025–26: Winner with Manchester City
- Carabao Cup 2025–26: Winner with Manchester City
- International: Represented Netherlands at 2026 World Cup
Upcoming Fixtures
- Premier League: Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City – 28 Aug 2026, 21:00
- Saudi Pro League: Al Qadsiah vs. Al-Faisaly – 30 Aug 2026, 20:00
