Late arrival puts fresh strain on Hadj Moussa’s Feyenoord future

Anis Hadj Moussa was left out of Feyenoord’s squad for their visit to NEC on Saturday after reportedly missing the team bus, an incident that has added further uncertainty to the Algeria international’s future amid strong interest from Al-Ittihad.

Feyenoord had appeared determined to keep their winger despite repeated approaches from the Saudi Arabian club. However, Hadj Moussa was not included for the trip to Nijmegen, where Feyenoord were due to face NEC.

The official explanation is disciplinary. Hadj Moussa is understood to have arrived too late for the team’s departure, despite the squad having already spent the previous night in Nijmegen.

Reports in the Netherlands say the 24-year-old missed the bus on Saturday morning. He subsequently remained at the hotel before returning home.

In isolation, the incident might have been viewed as a minor disciplinary matter. Its timing, however, has given it greater significance because it comes as negotiations over a possible move to Al-Ittihad enter a decisive phase.

Al-Ittihad have made a series of offers for Hadj Moussa in recent days. The Saudi club initially saw a proposal rejected, but are reported to have increased their bid to €37.5m before adding several million euros more on Saturday.

That latest increase could take the total package close to €40m and potentially make Hadj Moussa the most expensive sale in Feyenoord’s history.

The situation has also been complicated by tensions over how the transfer discussions have been handled. According to De Telegraaf, Hadj Moussa was already unhappy with Feyenoord’s lack of communication at the start of the negotiations with Al-Ittihad.

His representatives also believe verbal agreements had been reached regarding the conditions of a potential departure.

Feyenoord’s management maintain that no formal commitment was made. The club have also stressed that they would no longer be able to sign a replacement, because the Dutch transfer window has closed.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst said as recently as Friday that he did not expect Hadj Moussa to leave Feyenoord.

Al-Ittihad, though, continue to push for a deal. The Saudi Arabian transfer window closes on Sunday and the club appear determined to make one final attempt to sign the player.

Should Feyenoord accept an offer approaching €40m, the transfer would represent a landmark sale for the Dutch club.

If the move does not happen, Al-Ittihad would retain Esmir Bajraktarevic of PSV Eindhoven as an alternative option. The Bosnian is understood to be the Saudi club’s other solution should their pursuit of Hadj Moussa fail.

There is no evidence that Hadj Moussa’s late arrival was directly connected to his transfer situation. Nevertheless, with the player reportedly now keen to join Al-Ittihad and relations with Feyenoord apparently becoming more strained, the episode has inevitably reignited speculation about his next move.