Who is… Sunderland’s new midfield signing Wahbi Khazri?
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Sam Allardyce has made no secret that he’s been after a number of players to improve his Sunderland side, and after a couple of signings already, Big Sam has landed another.
It’s caught many by surprise but Sunderland have reached a deal with French side Bordeaux for attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri.
The fee is reported to be around £8-9m and upon completion the deal would see a well-regarded continental player head to the Stadium of Light.
Coming up through the youth ranks with his local side Ajaccio, Khazri’s breakthrough came with Bastia in 2009.
After making his debut aged 18, Khazri quickly became a first-team regular for Les Blues, proving a vital part of the team which secured successive promotions from the third division to Ligue 1.
After another two seasons aiding his side to steady mid-table finishes, Bordeaux came calling in the summer of 2014, having scored 35 goals in 187 games for Bastia.
The Tunisian international rose to the challenge, netting nine goals in 32 league games as Les Girondins finished sixth, qualifying for the Europa League.
Khazri maintained that form at the start of the current campaign too, with three goals in the opening four games – including a late equaliser away at PSG.
With the Parisian side utterly dominating proceedings this season, Bordeaux have been left to fight it out in the mid-table, and they currently lie 10th.
If the 24-year-old comes with baggage, then it’s a disciplinary record which has seen referees hand out 10 yellows and one red card to Khazri this season, in addition to nine yellows last term.
Maybe that’s the fire and spirit Allardyce is after however, and there is certainly no doubting the midfielder’s eye for a goal and an assist.
Sunderland fans might want to get excited about this one.
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