Reijnders says Man City role, Saudi offer prompted surprise summer switch

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 4, 2026 Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo

AMSTERDAM, Sept 23 - Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders said he did not like the role he was being asked to play at Manchester City and that he could not turn down the financial package being offered by Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah.

Reijnders, who joined the Saudi Pro League side in a surprise 61 million euro ($69.70 million) move, had wanted to play as a dynamic midfielder, moving between attack and defence, but increasingly found himself playing more as an attacking midfielder.