Milan cashes in as Reijnders joins Ronaldo in Saudi

Christian Pulisic Milan faces a midfield void after the rapid exit of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who has followed Cristiano Ronaldo into the Saudi Pro League, leaving the Rossoneri to reassess their squad strategy. The departure comes just weeks after the Italian club secured a lucrative resale clause that could offset the loss.

Tijjani Reijnders has completed a permanent move from Manchester City to Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. The Saudi club agreed to pay $71 million for the Netherlands international. The 28‑year‑old signed a five‑year contract and will work under former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers alongside Italy striker Mateo Retegui.

Al-Qadsiah introduced their new midfielder with a video describing him as “A Dutch artist who will paint his masterpieces on our pitches.” Reijnders added his own message, saying: “I’m a Dutch artist; I’m a Qadsiah man.” The club confirmed the signing is subject to international clearance.

Reijnders’ time at Manchester City lasted only one season after joining from Milan in 2025. He made around 50 appearances across competitions, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.

That clause triggers big payout

That clause in the original Milan‑to‑City deal entitles AC Milan to the full value of performance‑related bonuses if City sells him within the first year. Milan had sold Reijnders to City for an initial fee of about $64 million, with another $16 million available through bonuses. Because City is now paying Al‑Qadsiah $71 million, the total payment to Milan rises to almost $82 million, despite the player not meeting all performance targets.

Milan’s profit and future plans

The overall profit from the sale now stands at roughly $65 million, highlighting the effectiveness of the club’s transfer strategy. Milan originally bought Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar for around $15 million in 2023. The influx of cash arrives as the Rossoneri continue reshaping the squad around Christian Pulisic.

The biggest takeaway for Milan is financial rather than sporting, as the club has lost a player who became an important part of its midfield. The unexpected resale clause has turned the departure into one of the most profitable pieces of business in the club’s recent transfer history.