Espérance Sportive de Tunis are set to take a significant financial hit as Mohamed Wael Derbali edges closer to completing a move to Algerian side CS Constantine, bringing an underwhelming chapter at the Tunisian giants to an early close.
While neither club has formally announced the transfer, the deal is understood to be in its final stages, pending the completion of remaining administrative and contractual procedures.
Derbali, 22, arrived at Espérance in July 2023 with considerable promise. A product of French club Toulouse’s academy, he had impressed in the Tunisian top flight with Olympique Béja, performances that convinced Espérance to invest around $265,000 in what was viewed as a calculated, medium-term project.
At the time, the move was framed as an opportunity to develop a young talent who could either grow into a key first-team player or generate future profit.
That plan, however, never materialised. Derbali struggled to make the expected impact at the club, managing just four goals and two assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.
His rhythm was repeatedly disrupted by injuries, limiting his continuity and making it difficult for him to establish himself as a reliable option in attack. As expectations mounted, his influence waned, and his role in the squad became increasingly marginal.
With Derbali’s contract running until the summer of 2026 but entering its final stretch, Espérance faced a familiar dilemma. Rather than risk losing the player for nothing at a later date, the club opted to cash in during the current transfer window. Yet the financial return is set to be modest.
Reports suggest the agreed fee with CS Constantine will be below $100,000, a figure that represents a loss of roughly $160,000 on Espérance’s initial outlay.
On the international stage, Derbali’s profile remains limited. He has earned just one friendly cap for Tunisia, back in the summer of 2023, and has since fallen out of contention for the national team.
Should the move be finalised, Derbali will begin a new phase of his career in Algeria under the guidance of coach Lassaad Dridi. For the player, it offers a chance to reset and rediscover the promise that once made him a sought-after prospect.
