Former Man City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has spoken publicly for the first time since his mega money move to Saudi Arabia and admitted the cash was a big draw
Former Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has spoken out for the first time after his £60m move to the Saudi Pro League – and admitted the money was a big lure.
The Dutch midfielder completed the big-money move shortly after the arrival of new Blues boss Enzo Maresca, and is now earning a staggering sum of £11.9m per season, a dramatic increase from the £3.8m salary he earned playing at the Etihad.
Speaking to Dutch outlet Voetbalzone, Reijnders spoke about the move for the first time, saying: “There were other options, but they did not come through or they stalled over the asking price. “In the end, I started to think: do I want to stay another season at Man City without being completely happy, or do I choose to take on a new adventure?”
While there was interest from some European clubs, City ultimately accepted the offer to make Reijnders the next export to Saudi Arabia.
Arriving with him were Ollie Watkins, Gabriel Martinelli and Crycenio Summerville, quashing any idea that the Saudi Pro League may be slowing down in the wake of the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrawing funding from other sporting projects such as LIV Golf .
All three of these players were bought by Al Hilal for a combined £170m, and have all broken straight into the first team.
Their salaries have all dramatically risen as well, with Summerville’s rising from a meagre £2.3m to nearly £15m a year, equating to £280,000 a week.
These mega salaries are commonplace now for Saudi players, and while it’s no shocker that players are moving for these sums, it’s rare they speak so openly about them.
When Jordan Henderson first moved to Saudi Arabia on a reported £700k-a-week deal, fans were in uproar due to his status as an LGBTQIA+ advocate, which was put under investigation thanks to his move to a country in which being gay is punishable by death.
Now, players are still moving for the money, as Reijnders said: “Money definitely plays a part in it; after my football career ends, I don’t want to work again,
“Security was the priority. I won’t lie about it, if my grandchildren can live off this, then why shouldn’t I?
“When you moved to Saudi Arabia, some people accused you of doing it just to fill your pockets with money.
“When you’re offered that kind of salary, just try saying no.”
Despite his move, his career doesn’t appear to be on the downturn, as he’s scored three goals in his first five games for his new club and Netherlands manager Xavi has called him up for September’s Nations League fixtures.