Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Tunisia midfielder Wahbi Khazri after Bordeaux claimed they have agreed a fee for the 24-year-old. "The playmaker has a great opportunity with the English club and he was therefore allowed to go to England to negotiate with them," read a statement. Reports in France claim Khazri has agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League side. Khazri has also been linked with Everton and Aston Villa. Sunderland are 19th in the table, four points adrift of safety. They have already signed Ivory Coast central defender Lamine Kone and German defender Jan Kirchhoff from Bayern Munich. Senegal striker Dame N'Doye has also joined on a season-long loan. (source : BBC Sport today)
There's literally a 3 page thread about the transfer directly under this one. MERGE REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I've said the same before as well - totally agree as he is obviously a very talented footballer - one of the best passers of a ball we have at the club and with the best vision I've seen in a safc shirt for a long time - HE'S JUST A LAZY ****ER!!!!
Finally, our scouts have actually started to earn their keep. This is exactly the sort of signing we should be making. The first time in literally years I can remember we've made a signing who isn't either a crock, past their best, or just plain not very good - the possible exception being Lens. I can honestly say this is the first time I've been excited about a signing since Johnno. to the backroom team
With a price agreed between both clubs, it looks likely that Sunderland AFC will today finalise the signing of Wahbi Khazri from Girondins de Bordeaux. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to England all season, and now Sam Allardyce has secured the Tunisian international on an expected four-and-a-half-year deal, hoping the attacking midfielder can be a catalyst in Sunderland’s strive for survival. Khazri moves to Sunderland after just a season and a half at Bordeaux. He joined the Garonne club from Bastia in 2014 after eight seasons with the Corsicans. It was on the French island that he made his name, showing off his dangerous right foot, scoring 27 goals in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. After making the move to Bordeaux, Khazri hit the ground running with three goals in his first eight games. He finished the campaign with nine in the league, plus four assists, helping Willy Sagnol’s team qualify for the Europa League. It will be a huge blow to the former Bayern Munich man, losing his most creative force in the middle of the season; unless they can find a replacement quickly, it’s hard to see them finishing in the top six this campaign. Although he has only contributed two assists since the start of October, only Angel Di Maria has created more goals in Ligue 1 this season. Add to that his five goals and Khazri has had a hand in 44% of Bordeaux’s goals, having played 20 of their 22 games in the league. With Bordeaux struggling for consistency in the early part of the season, Sagnol has flirted with a number of different formations, either sticking with 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Khazri has featured all over the attacking third, but is most effective playing off the front-man as an advanced No.10. During games, Khazri will drift to either wing, looking to find space to get in control of the ball. Once in possession he’s a powerful and strong runner. He will look to burst past defenders, find gaps for little one-twos, or just go it alone. A number of his goals or assists over the last 18 months have come from his sheer tenacity to drive the game forward, chase down defenders, harrying opponents into mistakes – most famously against PSG this season at the Parc des Princes, where Bordeaux took a point off the reigning champions, with Khazri picking up a goal and an assist. What he also brings to the table is his superb ability from set-pieces. Be it from free-kicks or corners, Khazri’s delivery will ask questions of Premier League defences. In their last three Premier League outings, Sunderland have played 4-2-3-1, making it clear why Allardyce sought to make a move for the Tunisian. Khazri would most likely push into the No.10 role occupied by Jeremain Lens, allowing the Dutch forward to push out wide, utilising his speed. How quickly Khazri gains an understanding with Yann M’Vila behind him and Jermain Defoe in front of him will be vital to any chance Sunderland have of surviving this season. Khazri is a strong, skilful and very intelligent player. He has the physical capacity to deal with the Premier League. He should also have the speed in his legs and in his mind to make an impact. If Newcastle United bought Bordeaux engine and drive in Henri Saivet, Sunderland are signing their brain and fire-power.
