In a surprising move, Tijjani Reijnders has departed from Manchester City to join Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah for a fee of around £52 million. The 28-year-old midfielder, who had a brief but impactful stint at City, is set to embark on a new chapter in his career in the Saudi Pro League.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the deal has been agreed upon, and Reijnders is expected to undergo a medical examination and finalize personal terms before officially signing with Al Qadsiah, which is currently managed by Brendan Rodgers.

Reijnders joined Manchester City from AC Milan in the summer of 2025 for a fee of £46.5 million. During his time at the Etihad, he made 47 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals. Despite a promising start, he struggled to maintain a consistent impact throughout the season.

Before his move to Manchester, Reijnders enjoyed a standout season with AC Milan, netting 15 goals in 64 appearances and earning the title of Serie A's Best Midfielder. His departure from City not only allows him a fresh start but also helps the club recoup a profit of approximately £5.5 million from his initial transfer fee.

Reijnders was not present at the latest training session with Manchester City, further indicating his imminent move to Saudi Arabia. Prior to this transfer, he had been a target for Nottingham Forest, with Juventus and Galatasaray also expressing interest.

This transfer comes amid significant changes in Manchester City's midfield, with Rodri attracting interest from Barcelona and the club reportedly considering a move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, despite denying any official offers for the Argentine.

Reijnders also represented the Netherlands in the 2026 World Cup, making three appearances, although he did not play in the knockout stage where the Netherlands was eliminated by Morocco in a penalty shootout.

As he joins Al Qadsiah, Reijnders is expected to be one of the most notable signings in the Saudi league, while Manchester City continues to navigate a transformative period in their midfield lineup.