Tijjani Reijnders' Father Reveals Truth Behind Manchester City Exit and Saudi Move

Tijjani Reijnders recently made headlines with his unexpected move from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah. At 28 years old, the Dutch midfielder seemed poised for success in Europe, but his father, Martin Reijnders, who also acts as his business advisor, has shared insight on what really influenced this transfer.

Financial Demands and Sporting Ambitions

While the reported four-year deal worth around 100 million euros grabbed attention, Martin insists that the decision was more complex than just money. The high transfer fee set by Manchester City became a major barrier for European clubs interested in Tijjani, including Juventus, Newcastle United, and Atletico Madrid. They were unable or unwilling to meet the price City demanded, which left Al Qadsiah as the only club capable of fulfilling those financial demands.

"Tijjani simply couldn’t go just anywhere," Martin said, highlighting that they initially turned down the Saudi offer twice before reconsidering.

Ambitions Beyond Finances

Aside from the monetary aspect, Al Qadsiah’s sporting goals played a big role. The club is aiming to become a major force in Asian football, having qualified for the Asian Champions League and signing several top international players. Martin mentioned that money became the deciding factor only after Tijjani weighed his options between limited playing time at Manchester City under manager Enzo Maresca and a chance to play regularly in a system built around him.

"Money only became a factor when two sporting choices remained," he said.

Closing One Chapter, Starting Another

Tijjani leaves Manchester City with notable achievements, including winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the 2025–26 season. He also represented the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup before moving to Saudi Arabia. Now, he looks forward to securing a key role at Al Qadsiah and contributing to their continental ambitions.

Upcoming Fixtures

• Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – 28 Aug 2026, 21:00
• Al Qadsiah vs Al-Faisaly – 30 Aug 2026, 20:00