Yacine Titraoui: Leeds United vs Sunderland battle to reignite as clubs make contact
Yacine Titraoui is not being linked with a Premier League switch for the first time, and Leeds United must battle Sunderland for yet another transfer.
The 22-year-old midfielder is Sporting Charleroi's brightest player over the last two seasons, boasting six goals and three assists in 69 games in the Belgian first division.
Titraoui is also earning more international caps with Algeria, so it is not unsurprising to see him linked with a move to England this summer, but Daniel Farke is now facing a very familiar situation.
Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra were both linked with the Premier League giants, and at one point last summer, it seemed like Leeds would sign two midfield stars. In the end, they got neither.
Yacine Tatraoui rumours spark up again ahead of the summer
Tatraoui is gaining plenty of interest ahead of the summer, and it is believed that the Black Cats are once again targeting a move, alongside Vitor Pereira's Nottingham Forest [Media Foot].
He continues to be linked with Elland Road as well. Those rumours have not died down over the last 12 months. The difference now is that multiple other clubs have had their interest piqued.
In fact, it is understood that contact has already been made with the player's agent, but it remains unclear which clubs have actually made a move for the 22-year-old.
| Statistics at Sporting Charleroi | Games | Goals | Assists |
| 2025-26 | 37 | 4 | 2 |
| 2024-25 | 32 | 2 | 1 |
The transfer race is already heating up, and if the last couple of battles between Sunderland and Leeds are anything to go by, it could be a while until Tatraoui's future is decided.
What could Tatraoui's arrival mean for Leeds United's current squad?
Although improving the set of midfielders should not be the top priority at Elland Road, improvements in that area of the pitch certainly can be made.
Ao Tanaka is being linked with a Leeds exit, with Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff facing uncertain futures in West Yorkshire, so there could be a number of changes ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Ethan Ampadu could sign a new contract. Anton Stach is the Whites' most creative midfielder. Other than those two, nobody's position in the Leeds squad is 100 per cent safe.
Tatraoui's arrival would certainly shake things up at Elland Road, that is if the club can beat Sunderland to his signature.