In an interview with French outlet SFR Sport, Wahbi Khazri has tonight told them he would like to leave Sunderland, issuing a ‘come and get me’ plea to any interested clubs that might want to take him before the transfer window closes next week.
At the end of Tuesday game with Carlisle the Tunisian appeared to say goodbye to the Sunderland supporters, approaching the away end in a way that suggested this was the last time that we would see him in a red and white shirt.
#BreakingFoot - Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) : "Je suis à l'écoute d'offres & de projets sportifs. Je cherche à me relancer" ⬇️⚽️ #Mercato pic.twitter.com/iTF2vujlc3
— SFR Sport (@SFR_Sport) August 24, 2017
Despite showing himself to be a capable player in our escape from relegation under Sam Allardyce, Khazri has been on the fringes of the first team at Sunderland for over a year now and failed to impress former manager David Moyes last season.
The former Bordeaux attacker enjoyed a fine pre-season under Simon Grayson but appears to be out of favour, finding himself behind both George Honeyman and Aiden McGeady in the pecking order.
There have been accusations that Khazri has poor application in training, and that Simon Grayson has long since planned for life without him.
In his chat with SFR Sport, Khazri said:
In my head, I want to leave. I am open to listening to offers and projects and above all I am looking for a project that allows me to kick-start and enjoy life on the pitch.
My priority is to stay in the Premier League. When you have tasted the Premier League, you don’t want to leave it… I am open to all leagues and clubs.
The report also claims that Sunderland have received offers from Turkish sides Sivasspor and Galatasaray, though no indication has been given as to whether or not those are just initial enquires or solid approaches.
Either way, Martin Bain and Simon Grayson will be hoping to shift Khazri on for a fee, rather than on loan - I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens. What is clear, however, is that the man signed to save Sunderland from relegation just over 18 months ago is nearing the end of his tenure here on Wearside.