Tijjani Reijnders addresses financial motivations for Saudi transfer

The Transfer Decision and Financial Realities

Reijnders made a surprising move during the summer transfer window, leaving Manchester City to join Al-Qadsiah, currently sitting fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings. Reports indicate the player is positioned to earn a substantial amount across a four-year contract, while Al-Qadsiah paid a 61 million euro transfer fee to Manchester City.

Addressing public criticism and skepticism regarding the move, Reijnders did not shy away from the economic scale of the agreement. “You can always play the moral knight, but I think everyone says yes to that,” Reijnders stated, as reported by NOS. “I don’t want to work after my career. I didn’t need to do that anymore after City, but now I can also set up generations after me well. If this choice also means my grandchildren can live well, why shouldn’t I do it?” He added candidly: “I a money grabber? I can’t deny that.”

Tactical Frustrations at Manchester City

Beyond the financial terms, Reijnders pointed to sporting reasons for his departure from the English giants. Having arrived at Manchester City following previous stints with AZ and AC Milan, the midfielder found himself deployed in tactical roles that did not align with his preferred style of play.

While Reijnders views himself as a dynamic “number 8” midfielder capable of pacing the pitch between defense and attack, Manchester City manager usage increasingly pushed him into a more advanced “number 10” attacking role focused heavily on creative output. “In the preparation I noticed that it was going that way again with City and I started thinking about whether I wanted another season like that,” Reijnders explained. “The honest answer was no. I wanted to look further and then heard from the club that it was allowed.”

Although European suitors including Atlético Madrid, Juventus, and unnamed English clubs registered interest, those potential moves stalled due to Manchester City’s financial valuation conditions. Al-Qadsiah met the demands, though Reijnders initially held reservations about stepping away from European top-flight competition.

Conversations With Brendan Rodgers and the Level of Play

A turning point in his decision came through direct discussions with Al-Qadsiah manager Brendan Rodgers. According to Reijnders, the former Liverpool and Leicester City boss assured him that a spell in Saudi Arabia would not preclude a future return to European football.

“He said that I can easily play here with pleasure for three or four years and then go back to Europe,” Reijnders noted. “There are enough examples of that now. That is also my goal.”

Operating out of Khobar—a city near the Persian Gulf with numerous residents where daytime temperatures reach 38 degrees Celsius, forcing evening training sessions—Reijnders has wasted little time on the pitch, netting three goals across his first five league appearances. Addressing skepticism regarding the competitive standard of the Saudi Pro League, he pushed back against the notion that the competition lacks intensity. “It’s not like I can play every duel at 65 percent there,” Reijnders said. “I even rate the Saudi competition, with all those big names, higher than the Eredivisie. If people want to judge the football there, they have to see it first.”

Integration Into the Netherlands Squad

Reijnders’ transition to his new club environment has not hindered his international standing. Newly appointed national team head coach Xavi publicly defended the competitive viability of the Saudi Pro League ahead of the international window, stating that player selection remains strictly tied to on-field performance regardless of club location.

Those assurances provided an immediate psychological boost for Reijnders as he joined Oranje preparations. During training sessions in a green bib alongside midfielder Joey Veerman, Reijnders displayed sharp form during tactical rondo exercises. The squad now turns its focus toward a demanding stretch of UEFA Nations League fixtures, opening with a clash against Germany on September 24, followed by matches against Serbia on September 27, Greece on October 1, and a return fixture against Serbia on October 4.