Tijjani Reijnders is set to leave Manchester City for Al Qadsiah after just one season at the club.
City have agreed a £52m deal with the Saudi Pro League side. Manager Enzo Maresca said he tried to convince Reijnders to stay but the midfielder had already made up his mind about leaving.
“It’s a bit difficult to convince players when they are already convinced,” Maresca said. “You need to change their thoughts. That is not always easy.”
Reijnders joined City last summer after being named Serie A’s player of the season with Milan. He was expected to add pace, creativity and goals to a midfield that had lost Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan and was coming off a poor 2024-25 campaign.
But the Netherlands international struggled to hold down a starting role. Guardiola often used him high up the pitch, with the idea of using his ability to make late runs into the penalty area.
Reijnders had a great debut against Wolves and then followed that up with a strong spell around December and early January, scoring four goals in seven league appearances.
34′ ⚽️ Haaland
37′ ⚽️ Reijnders
61′ ⚽️ Haaland
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After that, his involvement dropped. He made only two league starts between the beginning of February and the end of the season and was an unused substitute in nine of City’s final 14 league matches.
The lack of regular football led to his decision to seek a move, according to sources close to the player.
Reijnders is not the only player who has left City after only a short stay. Several players signed in the past 18 months have struggled to establish themselves and have either left, or want to leave, the club. These include James Trafford and Manuel Akanji. Omar Marmoush could also leave.
Maresca said Reijnders’ situation was similar to that of Trafford, who has joined Leeds United. “When they don’t play, they struggle to understand or they struggle to see the reason why and I can understand that after one season some of them would like to play a little bit more,” he said. “It’s a normal situation.”
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Reijnders’ ability to carry the ball, beat opponents and contribute goals made him an attractive signing, but he struggled defensively, which was a sore point for Guardiola.
There was also the added fact that his preferred deeper role was occupied by Bernardo Silva and Rodri, who were better players and much preferred by Guardiola so long as they were fit.
Maresca said he had been pleased with Reijnders during pre-season and recognised that the player preferred a deeper role. “Because I know Tiji from Italy, from Milan when he was there, I know him quite well,” Maresca said. “He likes to play a little bit more deep than higher on the pitch.”
Reijnders will nevertheless leave, another failed part of City’s recruitment. The club have essentially already signed a £116m replacement in Elliot Anderson, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez could still be brought in this window for £120m.
