Reijnders moves to Al-Qadsiah, Man Utd bids for Baleba, Inter pursues Jones
Tijjani Reijnders, the Netherlands international midfielder, has completed his transfer from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. This move comes as Manchester United and Inter Milan are actively working to strengthen their respective midfields.
Reijnders’ transfer to Al-Qadsiah is reportedly valued at around £52 million ($70 million). He spent one season with Manchester City, having joined them from AC Milan for £46.5 million last summer. During his time at City, the 28-year-old made 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals. He has reportedly signed a five-year contract with the Saudi club, which is managed by Brendan Rodgers.
The midfielder was also a starter in all three of the Netherlands’ group-stage matches during the 2026 World Cup. However, he was an unused substitute in their round-of-32 defeat to Morocco. Reijnders’ departure follows other notable midfield exits from Manchester City, including Rodri’s move to Barcelona and Bernardo Silva’s free transfer to Real Madrid.
Al-Qadsiah’s Stadium Developments
Al-Qadsiah fans received additional positive news on Wednesday, August 19, beyond the signing of Reijnders. Reports indicate that the Aramco Stadium, which is set to host the team’s matches, is nearing completion. Workers have reportedly finished transporting and installing the pitch, utilising advanced technologies for world-class sports stadiums, making it ready for matches.
The Aramco Stadium has a capacity of approximately 47,000 spectators across various categories. It features advanced hospitality facilities and digital services designed to ease access and movement within the venue. The stadium includes 15 internal gates, supported by smart crowd management systems and advanced solutions aimed at organising fan movement and reducing congestion both before and after events.
Technologies borrowed from European stadiums have been incorporated into the design. For instance, the pitch is equipped with a system to drain rainwater quickly, reducing its negative impact during games. Ventilation is another key feature, linked to an air-conditioning system with a cooling capacity of up to 22,500 tonnes, covering all areas of the stadium. Designers precisely calibrated the airflow during the design phase using advanced simulation technologies to ensure high levels of comfort and efficiency, even in challenging climatic conditions. These developments underscore Al-Qadsiah’s ambition to create optimal conditions, particularly as the team is scheduled to participate in the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in its history.
Transfer Market Activity for Other Clubs
Meanwhile, Manchester United has submitted a reported £65 million offer for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. This proposal includes an upfront payment of £60 million and an additional £5 million in add-ons. However, according to British media, this offer remains below Brighton’s valuation for the player. The 22-year-old Cameroon international has reportedly agreed to personal terms with United, with negotiations between the clubs ongoing. Baleba is anticipated to fill the defensive midfield role, following United’s earlier acquisition of Belgium international Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million.
Inter Milan is also engaged in discussions with Liverpool regarding a potential deal for English midfielder Curtis Jones. The Italian club has reportedly offered up to €35 million, which is equivalent to approximately £30 million. Jones, who is 25 years old, has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool. Since his senior debut in 2019, he has made 228 appearances for the club. Last season, he played 49 times across all competitions but only secured 18 Premier League starts, reportedly struggling to maintain a regular place under Arne Slot.
Source: aa.com.tr
