Arsenal interest highlights Bachir Belloumi’s rapid rise, says Rabah Saadane

Rabah Saadane believes Bachir Belloumi’s impressive start to life in the Premier League has made him a target for clubs such as Arsenal, but says the Algeria winger should consider waiting until the end of the season before moving.

The 24-year-old joined Hull City in 2024 after two years with Portuguese club Farense. He had previously spent only one season in the Algerian Ligue 1 with MC Oran, having begun his career at GC Mascara, the club in his home city where his father Lakhdar Belloumi also made a large part of his career.

Hull City were playing in the Championship when Belloumi arrived, but he helped them secure promotion to the Premier League at the end of last season. He has since made an encouraging impact in the top flight, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

“He is a talented player,” Saadane, the former Algeria manager, told Africafoot. “He is left-footed and has very good individual technique. He sees the game well and is capable of scoring and creating goals.

“He is still young, which means he can continue to improve. Belloumi has made interesting choices since the beginning of his career. Spending two years at a modest Portuguese club allowed him to develop without too much pressure.”

Saadane said Belloumi’s ability to adjust to English football had been the most significant test, particularly after a serious injury in 2025/26. He also highlighted the winger’s contribution to Hull’s promotion.

Belloumi has attracted further attention this season after scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea. He has also scored his first two goals for Algeria, finding the net against Burundi in a 2-2 draw in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and against Niger in a 2-1 friendly victory.

“The Premier League is the best league in the world and is extremely demanding physically,” Saadane said. “Belloumi is at a modest club, where he can continue to progress without the pressure he would face at a bigger team.

“I think he still needs to work on his right foot. He is a pure left-footer, but improving his right foot is important.”

Saadane warned against making too many comparisons between Belloumi and his father, who he managed with the Algeria national team and regards as one of Africa’s outstanding players of the 1980s.

“Lakhdar was a real artist and a wonderful player,” he said. “Technically, he could do incredible things, while tactically he understood everything before others. His experience playing basketball at a good level helped him develop extraordinary tactical vision.”

Bachir plays as a winger, unlike Lakhdar, who was a traditional playmaker. Saadane said the younger Belloumi had great technical ability but should not be judged through comparisons with his father.

With Riyad Mahrez retired from international football, Belloumi could be given greater responsibility by Algeria. Saadane said he may compete with Feyenoord Rotterdam winger Anis Hadj Moussa, who has more experience after being developed and starting his professional career in Europe.

“Perhaps the manager Brahim Hemdani will play them together,” he added.

On interest from Arsenal ahead of the winter transfer window, Saadane said Belloumi was likely to leave Hull City soon, but favoured a move at the end of the season.

“To be of interest to a club like Arsenal is significant,” he said. “But I believe in stability. Leaving during the season is never easy because a player has to adapt and find his place. I have always felt it is better to wait until the end of the season and complete a full pre-season with a new team.”