Anis Hadj Moussa apologises to Feyenoord after Newcastle transfer collapses

Anis Hadj Moussa has apologised to Feyenoord’s coaching staff and players after his proposed move to Newcastle failed to materialise, paving the way for the Algeria international to return to first-team contention.

Newcastle made an official approach to Feyenoord during the final days of the transfer window after showing concrete interest in the 24-year-old winger. However, the Premier League club did not submit a financial offer for the player.

The uncertainty surrounding his future affected Hadj Moussa’s performances and conduct, according to TeamTalk. He made clear that he wanted to leave the Dutch club, which resulted in him being left out of Feyenoord’s final league matches during the transfer period.

Hadj Moussa subsequently sought to resolve the dispute by apologising to head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the rest of the dressing room. The gesture was intended to restore relations and allow him to resume his place in the senior squad.

Van Bronckhorst confirmed to ESPN that the situation had been settled. The manager said an apology was the only way for Hadj Moussa to regain regular opportunities to play.

Return to the Champions League squad

The winger was quickly brought back into the group selected for Feyenoord’s Champions League campaign. He travelled to Spain for the meeting with FC Barcelona at Camp Nou and was named in the starting line-up against the Blaugrana.

Newcastle were not the only club to show interest in Hadj Moussa during the closing stages of the window. Al-Ittihad also made an approach, but that transfer fell through, as reported exclusively by Africafoot.

Hadj Moussa remains under contract with Feyenoord until 2030. The Paris-born player is valued at 23 million euros by Transfermarkt and earns an annual salary of 490,000 euros, equivalent to 318,500,000 FCFA.

His return comes as Feyenoord prepare for their fifth match of the Dutch league season against PEC Zwolle. The match is scheduled to take place after the Champions League trip to Barcelona.

The failed move brought an unsettled period to an end for Hadj Moussa, who can now focus on re-establishing himself within Van Bronckhorst’s plans. His reintegration followed directly from the apology made to the coaching staff and his team-mates after his desire to leave became public.