Tijjani Reijnders at a Transfer Crossroads: Man City vs Al-Qadsiah

Tijjani Reijnders has been thrust into the centre of one of the summer’s more intriguing transfer battles, with Manchester City and Al-Qadsiah locked in advanced talks over a €60 million move – but the midfielder himself is yet to give the green light.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that negotiations between the clubs are progressing and a fee is close to being finalised. The agreement between the boards is no longer the issue. Convincing the player is.

Reijnders, under contract at City until mid-2030, now faces a defining decision in his career. At 28, with 35 caps for the Netherlands, he must choose between staying to fight for his place under Pep Guardiola, embracing a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Qadsiah, or keeping the door open to a different kind of challenge in the Premier League.

Because there is another angle to this story. Nottingham Forest are in the background, watching closely. The Midlands club are keen on the Dutchman and are monitoring developments, ready to react if the Saudi move stalls or if City’s stance softens.

Reijnders arrived at the Etihad from AC Milan last summer for €55 million after establishing himself as one of the standout performers in Serie A. In Italy he had been an undisputed star; in Manchester, his start suggested he might repeat that trick. Early in the season he slotted smoothly into City’s intricate midfield, his composure and range of passing hinting at a long-term role.

Then the rhythm changed. As the campaign wore on, Reijnders gradually slipped from guaranteed starter to frequent substitute, squeezed by the depth and competition in City’s squad. The numbers still tell a respectable story: 2,810 minutes across all competitions, seven goals – five of them in the Premier League – and eight assists. Productive, but not untouchable.

That is where Al-Qadsiah see their opening. Backed by Saudi ambition and resources, they are pushing hard to make Reijnders a centrepiece of their project, just as other clubs in the region have done with European-based internationals. The lure is obvious: a leading role, a major contract, and the chance to reset his status away from the relentless rotation of Guardiola’s system.

There is also a familiar Dutch thread. Reijnders could follow the path taken by compatriot Crysencio Summerville, who joined Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League after impressing on the World Cup stage. The precedent is there: strong tournament, rising profile, bold move east.

For City, the equation is more pragmatic. A €60 million sale would represent a profit on a player signed only a year ago, while freeing space and wages in a congested midfield. For Reijnders, it is far more personal. Stay and scrap for minutes in a team chasing every major trophy, or walk into a starring role in a rapidly growing league. And somewhere in the middle, the possibility of a fresh Premier League chapter with Forest lingers.

The deal between Manchester City and Al-Qadsiah is edging closer. The real question now is whether Tijjani Reijnders is ready to follow it across the line.