Newcastle United were reportedly in talks to sign Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City early in the summer transfer window, but the £52million deal collapsed as the Dutch midfielder instead joined Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah. Fabrizio Romano has revealed the bizarre twist involving Sandro Tonali, who ended up joining Tottenham Hotspur in a £100million deal.
What happened with Newcastle United's pursuit of Reijnders?
Newcastle United were keen on signing Reijnders, a 28-year-old Dutch midfielder, at the start of the window. According to Romano, the Magpies wanted to include him in negotiations for Sandro Tonali, who was also a target for Manchester City. However, Tonali preferred a move to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving Newcastle's interest in Reijnders 'already over' by June.
Why did the deal fall through?
Tonali's preference to join Tottenham, despite their 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season, was a key factor. The Italian midfielder had also explored a move to Arsenal, but when that didn't materialize, he opted for Spurs. This left Newcastle United with no option but to abandon their pursuit of Reijnders, who ultimately moved to Al Qadsiah, owned by Saudi Aramco, the biggest company in the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's portfolio.
What does this mean for Newcastle United?
With the transfer window closed and the new Premier League season yet to begin, Newcastle United will have to look elsewhere to strengthen their midfield. The Magpies finished 12th in the 2025 table with 49 points, scoring 53 goals and conceding 55, finishing 36 points behind leaders Arsenal. Their recent form of LWDWL suggests they need reinforcements to improve their standing.
What comes next for Newcastle United?
As the new season approaches, Newcastle United will need to focus on their current squad and any potential late additions. With the transfer window closed, their attention will turn to securing better results on the pitch and climbing the Premier League table.
