Al-Ittihad in talks with Sunderland over Morocco winger Chemsdine Talbi

Sky Sports reports that Al-Ittihad are negotiating with Sunderland over a deal for Morocco winger Chemsdine Talbi, with the Saudi summer transfer window due to close on Sunday, 6 September.

Sunderland are understood to be open to allowing the 19-year-old to leave during the current transfer period. The club’s decision not to include Talbi in its squad for the UEFA Europa League has also increased speculation that he could move to another team in the coming days.

The omission is likely to attract further attention as Al-Ittihad continue discussions with Sunderland over the Morocco international. No agreement has been confirmed, but the decision over the player’s European availability appears to have created an opportunity for a transfer before the Saudi deadline.

Talbi began his career in Belgium with Royal Union Tubize in 2015. He later joined Club Brugge, where he progressed through the club’s youth system before making the step up to the first team.

The winger moved to Sunderland from Club Brugge in the summer of 2025. The transfer fee was reported at about £21m at the time, highlighting the scale of the club’s investment in a player who was still only 18 when he arrived.

Since joining Sunderland, Talbi has made 31 appearances for the club in all competitions. He has scored four goals and provided two assists during that period.

His potential departure comes after a spell in which he has established experience at senior level in English football, while also representing Morocco internationally. However, his exclusion from Sunderland’s UEFA Europa League squad has raised the possibility that his time at the club could be shorter than expected.

Al-Ittihad’s interest gives Talbi a possible route to Saudi Arabia, with the club now negotiating directly with Sunderland. The timing of the talks is significant because the Saudi summer transfer window will close on 6 September, leaving a limited period for the two clubs to reach an agreement and complete the necessary formalities.

For Sunderland, being prepared to consider Talbi’s departure means the club could sanction the sale of a player signed from Club Brugge for a substantial fee only last summer. For Talbi, a move would represent another significant change in his career after progressing from Belgian youth football to Club Brugge’s senior side and then moving to Sunderland.

Sky Sports’ report indicates that discussions are ongoing, while Talbi’s absence from the Sunderland squad for the UEFA Europa League is being viewed as a factor that could facilitate a transfer in the near future.