Wahbi Khazri has been in the spotlight again this weekend after facing abuse from sections of the travelling support down at Barnsley. However, in a lengthy social media post written in broken English, the Tunisian has addressed his current situation.
The 26-year-old appears to suggest he is listening to offers from other clubs because of his disappointments at the Stadium of Light last season but Khazri backtracks somewhat - likely to cover his arse in case he’s forced to stay - by declaring his affections for Sunderland.
Khazri has continued his bit-part contribution for the Black Cats this season under new boss Simon Grayson following his frustrations at not being given a chance under David Moyes in the Premier League.
The Tunisian playmaker has featured in three Championship fixtures, only managing some 70 minutes of league action and he does suggest in the Instagram post that he spoke to the French media last week about a move because of his desire to be playing regularly.
Despite declaring his desire to leave in order to play football, Khazri suggests the decision is not yet set in stone - “it remains a difficult choice for me because I like to be a Sunderland [player]”. Wahbi also notes that he is not “demotivated” and that he will always fight and have respect for Sunderland, no matter what happens this week.
The whole message is odd, and serves perhaps as a means to cover the Tunisian’s back in case he doesn’t secure his move away from the North East. Either way, his situation will be resolved by the end of the week.
Khazri was subject to a round of boos from the away fans at Oakwell on Saturday as Sunderland slumped to a successive defeat at he hands of opposition from Yorkshire.
The former Bordeaux man was targeted for that public declaration of his desire to leave the Stadium of Light and, in part, for his limp performances of late - notably a lazy, uninterested appearance at Carlisle in the Carabao Cup Tuesday - just hours before his ‘come and get me plea’ was aired in France.
The 3-0 defeat at the hands of Barnsley has done little to help the mood of a Sunderland support increasingly frustrated by the club’s inability to compete in the transfer market which concludes with the closure of the window this week.
With feelings running high, it’s difficult to judge whether Wahbi Khazri remaining at the Stadium of Light beyond this transfer window will be warmly welcomed by the Sunderland faithful who were so supportive to the player last season.