Tijjani Reijnders did not initially want to move to Saudi Arabia, according to comments made by his father and representative, Martin Reijnders, to the Algemeen Dagblad. The transfer to Saudi Professional League side Al-Qadsiah materialized after European suitors failed to meet Manchester City’s roughly 60 million euro valuation, and following a positional shift at his former club that threatened his regular playing time.
Why European Bids Fell Short for Manchester City
Before committing to a move to the Middle East, substantial interest emerged from several prominent European clubs. According to Martin Reijnders, teams including Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Galatasaray, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest tracked the midfielder. However, Manchester City demanded an estimated 60 million euro transfer fee. None of the interested European sides were willing or able to match that financial threshold, leaving Al-Qadsiah as the primary viable destination for the player.
Tactical Shifts and Playing Time at Manchester City
The decision to leave European football was not driven solely by the lucrative five-year contract, which is reported to be worth approximately 100 million euro. A major catalyst behind the departure was a tactical change implemented at Manchester City. Following a positional shift to the number 10 role, Reijnders faced the prospect of a reduced role and more time on the substitutes’ bench. By contrast, Al-Qadsiah offered a guaranteed starting position in a tactical setup more suited to his strengths.
Overcoming Initial Hesitation and Selecting Al-Qadsiah
The negotiation process required significant persuasion from the Saudi club. The family initially turned down Al-Qadsiah twice. Reijnders’ stance shifted only after Atlético Madrid definitively withdrew from the race for his signature. A subsequent club presentation and an in-person visit convinced the midfielder of the project, with club leadership outlining ambitions to establish Al-Qadsiah as the preeminent team in Asia.
International Career Outlook and Recent Performance
Regarding his future with the Netherlands national team, the Reijnders family remains confident that the move will not automatically jeopardize his international selection. They pointed out that multiple players representing the Saudi league featured prominently during past major tournaments, such as the previous FIFA World Cup. While acknowledging that the overall sporting intensity differs from the Premier League, the family maintains that the Saudi competition has grown significantly in stature. Demonstrating an immediate impact on the pitch, Reijnders scored his first official goal for Al-Qadsiah during a match against Neom SC.
FAQ
- Which European clubs were interested in Tijjani Reijnders? Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Galatasaray, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest all showed interest before Manchester City’s valuation priced them out of a deal, as reported by the Algemeen Dagblad.
- What was the transfer fee requested by Manchester City? Manchester City demanded approximately 60 million euro for the midfielder.
- When did Reijnders score his first goal for Al-Qadsiah? He scored his first goal for his new club in a match against Neom SC.
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