Sources: Sunderland star Chemsdine Talbi close to agreeing Saudi deal

Sunderland star Chemsdine Talbi is set to agree a deal with a Saudi Pro League club in the coming days, sources have told Football Insider.

Talbi was left out of the Black Cats' Europa League squad last week in a surprise move by Regis Le Bris.

It soon emerged that the 21-year-old was on the radar of several clubs in Saudi Arabia after the club had made him available for transfer.

He failed to even make the matchday squad for their 1-1 draw at Brentford on Saturday as talks continued with Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

Talbi is in advanced talks to join the four-time Saudi Pro League champions soon, as he is not part of Le Bris' plans for this season.

Al-Ittihad are able to register under-21 signings from abroad until mid-October, so are accelerating a move for the Moroccan playmaker.

Chemsdine Talbi set for Saudi move after Sunderland snub

Talbi arrived at Sunderland in July last year as part of their huge recruitment drive following promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland splashed out around £17million to prise him from Club Brugge, but he experienced a mixed debut campaign on Wearside.

He scored some key goals against Newcastle and Chelsea, but also struggled to start regularly as the season progressed, eventually finishing on four goals and one assist in 28 league appearances.

RB Leipzig were reportedly interested in the services earlier on in the summer window, but he failed to secure a move away before all of the European transfer windows closed last week.

Saudi clubs can complete a deal for Talbi, 21, and Al-Ittihad are set to take advantage of his availability to complete a move in the coming days.

What has Le Bris said about Talbi leaving Sunderland?

Sunderland were always confident of signing Lyon star Malick Fofana on Deadline Day ahead of Crystal Palace, sources have told Football Insider, and his arrival looks to have pushed Talbi out of the door.

Le Bris now has the likes of Fofana, Nilson Angulo and Romaine Mundle to pick from on the left wing ahead of the Moroccan.

He spoke openly about Talbi leaving the club last week, admitting that a deal was possible and hinting at the player pushing for a move, saying: "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.

"I believe that he can succeed here, but after that, it’s a question of confidence, and you have to respect the player's choice.”