Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi has been left out of the club's Europa League squad as negotiations take place over a potential move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
The 21-year-old Moroccan international is free to complete a transfer to Saudi Arabia because the transfer window in the Saudi Pro League remains open after the main European deadline.
Talbi joined Sunderland from Belgian side Club Brugge for £18 million last summer and made 30 appearances for the team last season. He featured off the bench in Sunderland's opening match of the current campaign, a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich.
Talks over Saudi Pro League transfer
The decision to leave Talbi out of Sunderland's European squad directly relates to ongoing discussions with Al Ittihad. With the Saudi transfer window staying open longer than the domestic registration period, the Saudi Arabian club has been free to pursue the young winger.
Deadline day recruitment drive
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris stated he is happy with the club's summer transfer business following three signings on deadline day. The Black Cats made six additions across the transfer window as they prepare for both domestic and European competition.
The final day of the window saw Sunderland complete a £30 million deal for winger Malick Fofana from French club Lyon. Premier League outfit Crystal Palace attempted to hijack the deal, leaving the transfer in limbo before Sunderland persuaded him to join.
Sunderland also secured defender Kevin Danso from Spurs and 18-year-old Ecuadorian centre-forward Juan Riquelme Angulo from Independiente del Valle on deadline day.
Earlier in the summer, Sunderland had added Thomas Meunier, Dayann Methalie and Jules Ahoka to their squad. The late arrivals of Danso, Fofana and Angulo completed a busy window of recruitment.
Le Bris strategy and targets
Le Bris explained that Sunderland followed a set strategy throughout the transfer window to retain core players while adding specific profiles to the squad.
"We had this mantra at the beginning of the market: keep the core, add what we need. We kept this idea all the way," Le Bris said.
"It was tough obviously because the market is not easy to manage. We ticked our three boxes, the first one with Kevin Danso and Thomas Meunier: top level experience."
"The second one with Malick and Dayann (Methalie): young with proven experience. The third one is the huge potential prospects with Juan (Riquelme Angulo) and Jules (Ahoka). We had to manage the different positions, because it's already a big challenge, but at the end we are happy."
Role of new signings outlined
Le Bris outlined how the new arrivals will fit into his team across multiple competitions this season. Addressing the signing of young forward Angulo, Le Bris detailed the demands of the role.
"(Angulo) will fill this third striker position. It's important to match the demand of this position, you have to be an underdog and be patient but also with the potential to play because it's important across the different competitions we'll have," Le Bris said.
Evaluating Danso's arrival in central defense, Le Bris highlighted the player's presence and experience. "Kevin, he has authority, physicality, leadership, he's a great player and in this position at centre back it's important to have this experience and this composure," he said.
Speaking about Fofana, Le Bris praised the winger's individual ability and defensive work rate. "For Malick, wingers are a specific role; so good in one v one, strong personality to go again, even if it's difficult to manage duels. He combines well, is committed defensively. He's an exciting profile," the Sunderland boss added.
