Al-Qadsiah's €60m Signing of Reijnders Nears Completion

Al-Ittihad may not be signing Tijjani Reijnders, but they are about to play a starring role in his Saudi football unveiling.

The Dutch midfielder, currently on the books at Manchester City, is on the brink of a blockbuster move to Al-Qadsiah after the newly promoted club agreed a €60 million fee, according to reports. Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat says the deal between the two clubs is done, with only the final formalities standing between Reijnders and the Roshn League.

At this stage, he is described as a “semi-official” Al-Qadsiah player. In practical terms, that means everything is agreed: the fee, the contract, the project. All that remains is for the 28-year-old to land in Saudi Arabia and sign.

That moment is coming quickly. Reijnders is expected to arrive on Monday to complete his move and undergo the usual procedures before being unveiled.

And then comes the twist.

His first taste of Saudi football could be against Al-Ittihad, one of the league’s heavyweights, in the second round of the Roshn League next Friday. The stage is set, the timing is perfect. The decision now lies with Irish coach Brendan Rodgers, who must choose whether to throw his new marquee signing straight into the fire or ease him in more cautiously.

Reijnders joined Manchester City from Milan last summer and slotted straight into elite company. He played 50 matches in all competitions, scored 7 goals and delivered 8 assists, underlining his blend of energy, creativity and end product from midfield.

Those numbers help explain the fee. Al-Qadsiah are not dabbling in the market; they are making a statement.

The club is building aggressively, reshaping the squad with one eye firmly on the AFC Champions League Elite. This will be their first appearance in Asia’s top-tier competition, and they are determined not to simply make up the numbers.

A €60m midfield general arriving from Manchester City sends a clear message. The real question now is whether his first touch in Saudi football will come under the glare of a high-profile clash with Al-Ittihad, or whether Rodgers chooses to keep that particular card up his sleeve a little longer.