Al-Ittihad target Sunderland winger Chamseddine Talbi after Anis Hadj Moussa deal collapses

Al-Ittihad have opened talks with Sunderland over a move for Moroccan winger Chamseddine Talbi after failing to sign Algeria international Anis Hadj Moussa from Feyenoord.

Reports said Feyenoord rejected a €30m offer from the Saudi Pro League club for Hadj Moussa. With the summer transfer window close to shutting, the Dutch side would also have been unable to bring in a replacement, making a deal for the winger increasingly difficult.

According to Sky Sports, Al-Ittihad have now turned their attention to Talbi and are negotiating with Sunderland over a possible transfer during the current summer window.

Sunderland are understood to be open to allowing the 21-year-old to leave this summer. Talbi has been left out of the club’s European squad for the current season, a decision that could make a move more likely.

Al-Ittihad are not the only club interested in the Morocco winger. Reliable journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported that the Saudi club will face competition from Turkish sides Galatasaray and Besiktas as they attempt to complete the deal.

Al-Ittihad could also look to the presence of Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri to help persuade Talbi to move to Saudi Arabia. En-Nesyri joined the club during the previous winter transfer window and has been part of their squad since then.

Talbi moved to Sunderland from Belgian club Club Brugge in last summer’s transfer window in a deal worth £18m. He made 31 appearances for the English side, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

The Saudi club are seeking a new winger to operate on the right side of their attack this season. Their need became more pressing after French winger Moussa Diaby left for Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Al-Ittihad have been linked with several wide players during the summer market, with Hadj Moussa the latest name to emerge. However, the club have so far been unable to complete a deal for any of their reported targets.

The attempted move for Hadj Moussa ended after Feyenoord turned down the €30m proposal. The failure to sign the Algeria winger has prompted Al-Ittihad to explore an alternative in Talbi, who already has experience of English football and remains available following his omission from Sunderland’s European list.

A transfer would therefore give Al-Ittihad another opportunity to strengthen their right flank, while Sunderland would have to decide whether to retain the player or accept an offer for a winger they signed from Club Brugge only last summer. Talks between the clubs are ongoing, with Galatasaray and Besiktas also monitoring the situation.