Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi is in discussions over a potential move to Al-Ittihad, with Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray also interested.
Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi was notably omitted from Regis Le Bris' Europa League squad for the upcoming fixtures, with the news coming amid bombshell reports of his potential exit.
On Thursday, Sunderland confirmed their 22-man squad for league phases of the 2026/27 Europa League, seeing Talbi miss out on a place at the expense of fellow wingers Nilson Angulo, Romaine Mundle and £31m deadline day signing from Lyon Malick Fofana.
Sunderland signed Talbi on a long-term contract from Club Brugge last summer in a £20.5m deal, and since arriving, the Moroccan international has gone on to make 31 appearances for the Black Cats, netting four goals and notching one assist.
Despite featuring throughout last season for Sunderland and scoring the equaliser in the Black Cats' historic 2-1 comeback win in the derby at Newcastle United, Talbi appears to be potentially heading for the exit doors at the Stadium of Light, with talks over his departure playing a role in his Europa League squad omission.
Chemsdine Talbi in action with Ipswich Town's Dara O'Shea on opening weekend (REUTERS) Sunderland Winger Chemsdine Talbi In Talks With Saudi Pro League Side
Following the 22-man squad announcement from Sunderland and Talbi's omission, Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie revealed that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad are in talks with the Black Cats over a potential move for the 21-year-old winger despite the English deadline closing on Tuesday evening.
With the Saudi Pro League's transfer window still open past the Premier League's, Talbi is free to move to Al-Ittihad, with those talks being the reason why Le Bris left him out of Sunderland's Europa League squad.
In addition to Al-Ittihad, Turkish giants Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray have also shown interest in the Moroccan, with the Turkish Pro League transfer window still being open for business alongside the Saudi Pro League.
With Sunderland signing Fofana from Lyon for £31m on deadline day, it appears that Talbi has fallen down the pecking order under Le Bris, evidenced by the fact that he started from the bench against Ipswich Town on opening weekend and was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win over Fulham last time out.
Now, with Talbi unable for Sunderland selection in the eight-game league phase of the Europa League and his heavy links with a summer window exit, there appears to be only one direction of traffic with his Black Cats future.
Since arriving at Sunderland, Talbi has shown flashes of brilliance, with his long-range strike against Burnley last season and the Newcastle goal being the pinacle of his red-and-white career.
However, he has failed to deliver those moments of technical quality on a consistent enough basis, and has not impacted games enough for Sunderland from an attacking sense, seeming to play within himself too often.
Régis Le Bris Explains Chemsdine Talbi Situation
With Fofana being touted as an incredible signing for Sunderland, the Black Cats have seemingly acquired an upgrade on the Moroccan, and it is interesting to note Le Bris' comments regarding the situation.
Ahead of this weekend's clash at Brentford, Le Bris said of Talbi's situation: "Yes, a move remains possible.
"So it’s important to respect both parties. We’ll see. He’s still a good player. He has huge potential, but after that, you still have a window to decide if it’s the right pathway.
"I believe that he can succeed here. But after that, it’s a question of confidence, and you have to respect the player's choice."
With him concluding with "you have to respect the player's choice", it implies that Talbi may not be settled or comfortable with Sunderland and could view his long-term future elsewhere.
Now, it remains to be seen whether one of the aforementioned interested trio of Al-Ittihad, Fenerbahçe or Galatasaray make a suitable offer for Talbi to Sunderland in the coming days.
