Financial motive: Reijnders chooses Al‑Qadsiah

Tijjani Reijnders made the move last summer from Manchester City to Al‑Qadsiah, a transfer he attributes to the salary that is offered. The Saudi club paid around sixty million euros to acquire the Dutch the Oranje midfielder, making it one of the most expensive European outgoing transfers of this season.

Financial driver for Al‑Qadsiah

Al‑Qadsiah was willing to meet the asking price of Manchester City, resulting in the club laying down around sixty million euros for Reijnders. The financial picture was the decisive factor for the Dutch international. The payment made it possible for Manchester City to obtain the necessary resources for other acquisitions.

The Citizens had brought in three new midfielders in the summer: Elliott Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernández. Together these players cost more than one hundred million euros, an amount that Manchester City had to finance. The departure of Reijnders freed up part of that sum.

Reasons for departure from Manchester

Reijnders indicated that his role at Manchester City was largely exhausted and that he received few matches in his preferred position. He was in negotiations with Atlético Madrid, but the clubs could not reach an agreement on the transfer fee. Ultimately Al‑Qadsiah offered a contract that was both sportingly and financially attractive.

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The Dutch midfielder was called up by national team coach Xavi for the upcoming international matches of the Oranje, despite his move to the Middle East. In an interview with, he emphasized that there were other options, but that the asking price of Manchester City posed a barrier. He felt after the conversation with the Al‑Qadsiah coach “quite excited”.

Reijnders acknowledges that the salary played an important role. “The salary that is offered there, you could say no to it as a player or as a person,” he said. He admitted that one can point to the money as a moral crusader, but that most people would still say “yes” to it.

He responds to criticism of the Saudi Pro League and states that many players return to European competitions after a period. “I think many people believe that if you go to Saudi, your career is over, but that is not necessarily the case,” he explained. Reijnders reported that he can earn up to one hundred million euros in five years, an amount he considers crucial.

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Reijnders also indicated that he does not want to work after his career and that the income from Al‑Qadsiah enables him to financially support generations of his family. “If my grandchildren can live from it, why shouldn’t I do it,” said the 28‑year‑old international. His openness about the financial motives has sparked a debate about ethics in football. The decision shows that Qadsiah is willing to invest large sums to attract European talent.