Reijnders reveals tactical frustration and £86m deal drove his exit from Man City to Saudi Arabia

Tijjani Reijnders has openly acknowledged that both tactical unhappiness and a reported £86 million contract drove his £51 million move from Manchester City to Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah in the summer, ending a single-season stint at the Premier League club.

The 28-year-old Dutch midfielder said he noticed during pre-season that Pep Guardiola’s side was again set to use him in advanced central positions rather than the dynamic box-to-box role he prefers. “In pre-season, I noticed that things were heading in that direction again at City, and I started thinking about whether I wanted another season like that,” Reijnders told reporters ahead of the Netherlands’ Nations League fixture against Germany. “The honest answer was no. I wanted to look elsewhere, and then I heard from the club that I was allowed to do so.”

Reijnders admitted he initially shared the common concern that a move to the Saudi Pro League signals the end of a footballer’s elite career, but conversations with Al Qadsiah head coach Brendan Rodgers shifted his thinking. “He said I could have three or four very enjoyable years here and then return to Europe. There are enough examples of that now. That is my goal too,” the midfielder said.

He also pushed back against critics of the Saudi league’s quality. “With all the big names, I actually rate the Saudi league higher than the Eredivisie. If people want to judge the football there, they should watch it first.”

On the financial dimension, Reijnders was candid. Reports suggest he signed a four-year deal worth roughly 100 million euros — approximately £86 million. “You can always play the moralist, but I think everyone would say yes to that,” he said. “I don’t want to have to work anymore after my career. I didn’t need to after City either, but now I can also set up future generations of my family well. If this choice means my grandchildren can also live comfortably, why wouldn’t I do it?”

Reijnders joined Manchester City from AC Milan in the summer of 2024 but made only a limited impact before the club sanctioned his departure. His move to Al Qadsiah represents one of the more high-profile transfers from a top European side to the Saudi Pro League involving a player still considered to be in his prime years.