Sunderland ‘preparing bid’ for cut-price national team midfielder | OneFootball

Sunderland are weighing a summer move for Royal Charleroi midfielder Yacine Titraoui, with a bid being prepared. MediaFoot reports that the club have contacted the 22-year-old’s agent and plan to lodge an offer in the coming weeks.

The Black Cats have tracked the five-time Algeria international across the last two windows without a deal. Titraoui has six goals and four assists in 69 games for Charleroi, including four goals and two assists in 35 domestic outings this season, helping them reach the Croky Cup semi-finals and the Uefa Conference League play-off group.

Competition is expected, with Marseille strongly linked. He featured in Algeria’s recent friendlies against Guatemala, a 7-0 win, and Uruguay, a 0-0 draw. Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have also been credited with interest, and his valuation in February was as low as £4.25m.

Should he arrive at the Stadium of Light, Titraoui would join a stacked midfield under Regis Le Bris that includes Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.

Primarily a defensive shield in front of the back four, he averages 1.4 interceptions and 1.9 tackles per 90 minutes in the Pro League. He also averages 41 passes per 90, a team-high at Charleroi, and has created 27 chances. He could be seen as competition, and a long-term replacement, for Xhaka.

Source: Sunderland Echo