By Francis Onyach - Reporter
UK, 13 August 2026 - Tijjani Reijnders is on the verge of leaving Manchester City for Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah after agreeing to the move, with all parties now understood to have reached a verbal agreement.
According to the latest update from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Reijnders has given the green light to the transfer and Manchester City are set to receive €61 million for the Netherlands international. The clubs are now exchanging documents ahead of the formal signatures and completion of the deal.
The development represents a dramatic turn in Reijnders' Manchester City career, with the midfielder having joined the Premier League champions from AC Milan only last summer.
Reijnders agrees to Al Qadsiah move
The latest breakthrough means the transfer has moved beyond the negotiation stage.
Reijnders has accepted Al Qadsiah's proposal, while Manchester City and the Saudi club have agreed on the financial package. The remaining process involves completing the paperwork, signing the relevant documents and carrying out the formalities required before the transfer can be officially announced.
Recent reporting confirms that the Saudi club had been pushing to finalize the deal after reaching an agreement with City. Earlier reports had placed the fee at approximately €60 million, with the latest figure now reported at €61 million.
The 28-year-old is also reportedly not training with Manchester City as he waits to travel to Saudi Arabia to complete the move.
That development is a strong indication that the transfer is now at an advanced stage rather than simply being a proposal under discussion.
From AC Milan to Manchester City and now Saudi Arabia
Reijnders' impending departure is particularly surprising because he only arrived at the Etihad in June 2025.
Manchester City signed him from AC Milan for a deal initially reported at around €55 million, with the overall package potentially rising considerably higher through bonuses.
Reports at the time put Milan's guaranteed payment at around €57.7 million, with performance-related bonuses potentially taking the total close to €70 million.
City viewed Reijnders as an important part of their midfield rebuild.
He had established himself as one of Serie A's most exciting midfielders at Milan, combining technical quality, progressive passing and an ability to arrive in the penalty area.
His first season in England also produced encouraging numbers.
According to recent reporting, Reijnders made 47 appearances across competitions during the 2025/26 campaign, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.
However, his position in the Manchester City squad became increasingly complicated as the club reshaped its midfield.
The answer is partly tactical and partly financial.
City have undergone significant midfield changes and have brought in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson for a reported club-record fee. The club are also continuing to restructure their squad under manager Enzo Maresca.
At the same time, the future of Rodri has become a major storyline.
Barcelona have been pursuing the Spain international, with City rejecting multiple approaches. Reports indicate that Barcelona are willing to continue negotiations for the midfielder, while City have established their own valuation.
If Rodri leaves, City are expected to look for another major midfield signing.
That is where the Reijnders sale becomes particularly interesting.
Reijnders sale could help fund Enzo Fernández move
Manchester City have identified Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández as a potential target amid the uncertainty surrounding Rodri.
Chelsea, however, have made their position extremely clear.
The London club are demanding £120 million net for Fernández and have set a deadline of 5pm UK time on Friday for any acceptable offer. If that valuation is not met, Fernández is expected to remain at Chelsea.
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Selling Reijnders for €61 million would therefore provide City with significant additional funds as they consider whether to make a major move for the Argentine.
The potential sequence is fascinating:
Rodri out, Reijnders out, Enzo Fernández potentially in.
Nothing should be presented as a completed chain of transfers yet, but the financial implications of the Reijnders sale are clear.
Why Al Qadsiah want Reijnders
For Al Qadsiah, this is another statement signing as the Saudi Pro League club continues to strengthen its squad.
Reijnders brings considerably more than his reputation as a Manchester City player.
Before moving to England, he became one of the standout midfielders in Serie A with AC Milan and developed into an established Netherlands international.
His ability to operate as a No. 8, progress the ball through midfield and contribute goals makes him an attractive addition to a Saudi side looking to compete at the highest level domestically.
Al Qadsiah have already demonstrated their ambition in the transfer market.
The club previously made headlines by signing Mateo Retegui from Atalanta for a fee that made him the most expensive Italian player at the time.
The arrival of Reijnders would represent another major investment in the club's sporting project.
Reijnders' football journey makes the speed of his career progression particularly remarkable.
As he explained in an article for The Players' Tribune, his pathway was far from straightforward. At 19, he was working at an Aldi supermarket while trying to establish himself in football. He eventually developed through PEC Zwolle and AZ Alkmaar before becoming a key player for AZ.
His breakthrough at AZ eventually led to his move to Milan in 2023.
Two impressive seasons in Italy followed, culminating in his transfer to Manchester City.
Now, just one year after arriving in England, he is preparing for another major career change.
From a purely footballing perspective, City are losing a midfielder who offered a different profile to some of their other options.
Reijnders is particularly effective when carrying the ball forward and attacking space from midfield. His technical ability allows him to operate comfortably under pressure, while his movement makes him a threat around the edge of the penalty area.
His seven goals and seven assists during his debut City season demonstrate that he was capable of contributing in the final third as well as controlling possession.
But the decision to sell suggests that City believe the squad can be better balanced with other midfield options.
It also reflects the financial reality of the modern transfer market.
A player signed for a substantial fee last summer is now potentially generating an even larger return.
Only twelve months ago, Reijnders arrived at the Etihad as one of the faces of City's next generation.
Now, at 28, he is preparing for an entirely different challenge in the Saudi Pro League.
And his departure could have consequences far beyond his own career, potentially helping Manchester City finance one of the biggest midfield transfers of the summer.
Tijjani Reijnders Says Yes to Al Qadsiah as Manchester City Agree €61m Saudi Pro League Transfer
Reijnders' impending departure is particularly surprising because he only arrived at the Etihad in June 2025.