English Premier League
Barcelona fixture prompts Feyenoord to block Al-Ittihad move for Anis Hadj Moussa
Feyenoord have rejected a proposed move for Algeria winger Anis Hadj Moussa to Al-Ittihad, with Barcelona’s imminent Champions League meeting with the Dutch club adding to concerns over the impact of his departure.
Al-Ittihad had reportedly reached an agreement with Feyenoord for the 23-year-old, after submitting an offer worth €30m during the current summer transfer window. However, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf says Feyenoord have decided not to complete the deal because they fear being left short of attacking options.
The decision comes after Feyenoord allowed Japan forward Ayase Ueda to join French club Lille last week. Losing Ueda and Hadj Moussa in quick succession would have created a significant gap in the squad, particularly with the new Champions League campaign about to begin.
The Netherlands’ summer transfer window closed on Wednesday evening. As a result, Feyenoord can no longer sign a contracted player to replace Hadj Moussa. The club may still be able to bring in players who are without contracts, but any such additions would not be eligible for registration in their Champions League squad because the registration deadline also passed on Wednesday.
Feyenoord believe Hadj Moussa remains important to their chances in Europe, especially because their campaign begins against Barcelona next Wednesday at Spotify Camp Nou. His availability for that fixture has therefore become a priority as the club prepares to face one of the competition’s leading sides.
The collapse of the proposed transfer leaves Al-Ittihad needing to consider alternative targets. The Saudi Pro League club had been seeking to strengthen on the wing, particularly after France international Moussa Diaby left for Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
Hadj Moussa joined Feyenoord in the summer of 2024 and has made a strong impression since arriving in the Netherlands. He has featured in 86 matches for the club, scoring 26 goals and providing 13 assists.
His performances had attracted interest from Al-Ittihad, who were prepared to invest €30m in securing his services. But with Feyenoord unable to replace him in the domestic market and unable to register a new contracted signing for the Champions League, the club have concluded that retaining the Algeria international is more important than accepting the offer.
The decision means Hadj Moussa is expected to remain with Feyenoord, at least for now, and gives the Dutch side another attacking option for their opening European assignment against Barcelona. Al-Ittihad, meanwhile, must search for a different solution to replace the winger they had hoped to sign.
