Sunderland ‘preparing to bid’ for Algeria international Yacine Titraoui | OneFootball

Sunderland are preparing a move for Royal Charleroi midfielder Yacine Titraoui. MediaFoot reports that the Black Cats have contacted the 22-year-old’s agent and could lodge a bid in the coming weeks.

The Wearside club have tracked the Algeria international across the last two windows without a deal. Titraoui has six goals and four assists in 69 Charleroi appearances, and this season has four goals and two assists in 35 domestic outings, helping reach the UEFA Conference League play-off group and the Croky Cup semi-finals.

Competition is likely, 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 February valuation was about £4.25m.

Should he move to the Stadium of Light, he would join Regis Le Bris’s crowded midfield alongside Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.

Primarily a screening midfielder, he averages 1.4 interceptions and 1.9 tackles per 90 minutes in the Pro League. He also makes 41 passes per 90, a team high for Charleroi, and has created 27 chances. He would likely be seen as competition for Xhaka and a long-term replacement.

Source: Sunderland Echo