Manchester City has sold midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi club Al-Qadsiah for a reported $70 million.
What happened?
The 28-year-old Netherlands midfielder joined Manchester City from AC Milan last season and helped the team win both English domestic cup competitions.
Why it matters for Manchester City
The sale of Reijnders comes after the exit of Rodri to Barcelona, and Manchester City is looking to reshape its midfield, with the team currently 6 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, having scored 63 goals and conceded 28, with a goal difference of +35.
What comes next?
Manchester City has added England midfielder Elliot Anderson for $158 million from Nottingham Forest and is reportedly pursuing Lille's prized teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed at the World Cup for Morocco, as the team prepares for its next fixture against Fulham on February 6, 2027. Reijnders played in all three of the Netherlands' group-stage games at the World Cup, then was benched in a Round-of-32 loss in a penalty shootout to Morocco after a 1-1 draw. Al Qadsiah, in the coastal city of Al Khobar, finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season and is coached by former Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. With Manchester City's league standing at 2nd in the Premier League, 64 pts, 19W-7D-5L from 31 games, and recent form WDDWW, the team is looking to strengthen its squad for the remainder of the season.
