Tijjani Reijnders at a Crossroads: Saudi Millions or European Competitiveness?
Tijjani Reijnders is at a crossroads just a year into his Manchester City adventure.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano and other reports, the Dutch midfielder could already be heading for the exit, with a heavyweight bidder ready to pounce.
Saudi millions on the table
Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah have reportedly submitted a €60 million offer for Reijnders and are said to have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the fee. The deal, at this stage, hinges on one thing: the player’s consent.
That is far from guaranteed.
Reijnders is understood to be wrestling with the idea of a move to Saudi Arabia. At 28, he is in the prime of his career and still firmly in the European shop window. A switch to the Gulf would transform his salary, with the financial package expected to comfortably surpass anything on offer in England or Turkey, but the sporting step is less clear-cut.
Nottingham Forest and Galatasaray have also registered their interest, offering alternative routes if he decides to stay in Europe. The choice in front of him is stark: maximum money in Saudi Arabia, or maximum visibility and competitiveness in one of Europe’s major leagues.
Not quite undroppable under Guardiola
On paper, Reijnders’ first season under Pep Guardiola looked strong. He featured regularly, clocking up 50 appearances across all competitions and directly contributing to 15 goals – seven of his own, eight laid on for teammates.
Yet he never quite broke into the inner circle of untouchables in Guardiola’s XI. He played a lot, but not as one of the absolute first names on the teamsheet.
Now, with Enzo Maresca stepping in as head coach, the landscape in City’s midfield is shifting again – and not in Reijnders’ favour.
Maresca’s crowded midfield
Maresca inherits a squad stacked with options in central and attacking midfield, exactly where Reijnders operates best.
The headline arrival is €135 million signing Elliot Anderson, a statement addition in the middle of the pitch. Around him, Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Claudio Echeverri can all occupy similar roles between the lines or in deeper creative positions.
That is a traffic jam of talent in Reijnders’ zone of influence.
His path to becoming an undisputed starter looks even more complicated under Maresca than it was under Guardiola. A lucrative offer from Al Qadsiah, combined with the risk of reduced minutes, explains why City are open to a sale at the right price.
Rodri question hangs over City’s plans
One major piece of the puzzle remains unresolved: Rodri.
The Spanish world and European champion is being heavily courted by Barcelona, and his future at the Etihad is not fully secured. Talks over a potential transfer fee are ongoing, with no agreement in sight.
If Rodri does depart, City’s midfield equation changes again. The 10-time Premier League champions are expected to react aggressively in the market should their anchor man leave.
Enzo Fernandez is viewed as the preferred solution. Maresca knows the Argentine well from their shared spell at Chelsea and is keen on building around him if the opportunity arises. But that move comes with its own clock.
Chelsea, according to The Athletic, have set a clear deadline. Manchester City and Real Madrid have until Friday evening to put €140 million on the table for Fernandez. No bid by then, no deal.
So Reijnders waits. On one side, a Saudi club ready to pay big and a City hierarchy prepared to cash in. On the other, a packed midfield, a new manager, and a market that could be shaken again if Rodri or Fernandez move.
One decision from the Dutchman now shapes not just his next step, but how Manchester City redraw the heart of their team.
