Régis Le Bris details Chemsdine Talbi disappointment amid Saudi and Turkish transfer talks
Régis Le Bris has addressed Chemsdine Talbi’s Sunderland future as talks continue over a possible exit amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey
Régis Le Bris has admitted Chemsdine Talbi could still leave Sunderland, with interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey continuing after the closure of the English transfer window.
Al-Ittihad are in talks with Sunderland over the Morocco international, while Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have also been credited with interest. Talbi remains free to move because the Saudi and Turkish windows are still open, despite Premier League clubs no longer being able to buy players.
The 21-year-old was left out of Sunderland’s Europa League squad this week, and Le Bris has now confirmed a move remains possible. Talbi joined from Club Brugge last summer in a package worth around £20.5million and contributed several important goals during Sunderland’s first season back in the Premier League.
Asked whether the uncertainty over his future had contributed to his reduced involvement at the start of the new campaign, Le Bris said: “Yes, a move remains possible. So it’s important to respect both parties. We’ll see. He’s still a good player. He has huge potential, but after that, you still have a window to decide if it’s the right pathway.”
Le Bris also made clear that he would be disappointed to lose Talbi, who remains under contract until 2030. “Yes, because I believe that he can succeed here,” Le Bris said when asked. “But after that, it’s a question of confidence, and you have to respect the player's choice.”
Sunderland’s willingness to consider an exit is particularly interesting given the debate around their right-wing options. The club explored the possibility of signing a specialist right-sided attacker during the summer but ultimately finished the window without one.
Le Bris, though, insists Sunderland are comfortable with the options already available. Malick Fofana can play from either flank, while Nilson Angulo, Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele and Thomas Meunier provide very different solutions depending on the opposition.
“We need to talk about football, about positions. Everyone has their own opinion, which I think we can respect, but here in the club and for the squad building we were comfortable from the beginning,” he added. “If it was possible to find a mature right winger, why not? It’s possible because we can play like this. But if not, we are secure in this position.”
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Le Bris believes the Premier League increasingly demands balance rather than two orthodox wingers and pointed towards Sunderland’s ability to use more defensively secure players on one side. “They defend really well, they have their own way to attack and create threats, but they are efficient in the Premier League, so it’s a good right side. We have several options, and it’s not done. So we have discussions ongoing, and we’ll see.”
The Turkish transfer window closes on Friday, September 4, while Saudi Pro League clubs have until Sunday, September 6 to complete their summer business. That leaves only a short window for Talbi’s future to be resolved, with interest from both countries still active. It is now very much one to watch over the next few days, particularly with Al-Ittihad already in talks with Sunderland.