Callum McGregor Saudi links fade as Brendan Rodgers lands €60m midfielder

Brendan Rodgers’ first major signing at Al-Qadsiah could finally put an end to speculation linking Celtic captain Callum McGregor with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Qadsiah have reached an agreement to sign Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders in a blockbuster €60million deal.

The former AC Milan and Manchester City midfielder is set to become Rodgers’ biggest addition since the ex-Celtic boss took charge of the Saudi Pro League side last December.

Since making the move to the Middle East, Rodgers has regularly been tipped to reunite with McGregor following their successful relationship across two spells at the Hoops.

However, the arrival of another high-profile central midfielder would appear to make that prospect increasingly unlikely.

Reijnders will join an already stacked midfield containing £50m Portugal international Otavio, former Borussia Monchengladbach captain Julian Weigl and 71-cap Uruguay international Nahitan Nandez.

Crucially, Al-Qadsiah are also now set to have just one foreign player slot remaining, giving Rodgers little room to manoeuvre elsewhere in his squad.

Reijnders brings considerable pedigree. Rangers targeted the Dutchman during Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s reign in 2022 before he eventually joined AC Milan for around £21m a year later.

His performances in Italy earned him a £48m switch to Manchester City last summer, where he scored five Premier League goals during his debut campaign.

McGregor fuelled Saudi speculation earlier this summer after switching to the same agency as Rodgers.

But the Celtic skipper was emphatic about his future when questioned last month, making it clear he wants to remain at the Scottish champions.

With Rodgers now spending heavily on another elite midfielder, the prospect of the pair being reunited in Saudi Arabia looks more remote than ever.