Feyenoord look set to win battle for Hadj Moussa: Al-Ittihad switch focus

Al-Ittihad look to be turning to an alternative to Anis Hadj Moussa. Sky Sports report that the Saudi club are in talks with Sunderland forward Chemsdine Talbi.

Sunderland have left the Moroccan winger out of their Europa League squad.

That suggests Talbi is free to leave the club. The Saudi Pro League transfer window stays open until 6 September, so Al-Ittihad can still get a deal done in the coming days.

Sunderland signed Talbi from Club Brugge for twenty million euros last season, but he could already be on his way out again. Al-Ittihad have now opened talks over the Morocco international's arrival.

For now, it remains unclear what that means for Feyenoord's Hadj Moussa. Al-Ittihad do appear to be preparing for the possibility of missing out on the Algerian and have turned to Talbi as a result.

Speaking to ESPN, Dévy Rigaux, technical director of the Rotterdam club, had already made it clear that Feyenoord do not plan to do business with Al-Ittihad.

"The incoming market is closed. That is a very important observation here. That is why we now want to ensure with Feyenoord that we keep our value on the pitch. Together with the board, I will do everything to keep him here," said Rigaux.