Sunderland Are Closing In On This Emerging Club Brugge Prospect: Why Le Bris Has Roped Him In | OneFootball

In one of his recent posts on X, Belgian transfer news expert Sacha Tavolieri has shared an update on Chemsdine Talbi. The young Moroccan winger is set to join Sunderland from Club Brugge for a fee in the region of €23m, including add-ons, and is currently undergoing his medical before penning a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light early next week.

The 20-year-old wide attacker represented Belgium at the youth level but switched his allegiance to Morocco in March. After spending his initial years with Royale Union Tubize-Braine, Talbi was recruited by Club Brugge for their academy ranks.

The youngster flourished with time and impressed for Club NXT, their reserve side, in the Challenger Pro League. He was soon promoted to their senior squad and enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists in 44 appearances throughout the 2024-25 season [stats via Transfermarkt].

Why Sunderland Are Keen On The Youngster

Predominantly a right-winger, Talbi can also be utilised from the left as an inverted option. He grabbed the limelight by scoring a brace against Atalanta in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League intermediate stage, and the Black Cats believe that the attacking prospect is now ready for the next career step. Regis Le Bris has already raided the Belgian league by snapping up Noah Sadiki from Union Saint-Gilloise, and the potential arrival of the Brugge prodigy would bolster the Wearsiders in their battle for survival.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 29: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City controls the ball whilst under pressure from Chemsdine Talbi of Club Brugge KV during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Manchester City and Club Brugge KV at City of Manchester Stadium on January 29, 2025, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Sunderland grabbed a dramatic Premier League return after 8 years by scripting an injury-time comeback against Sheffield United in the playoff final. However, they have a colossal task next season, considering the quality and standards of the English top-flight. Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town, all three promoted sides in 2024, got relegated last season. And despite their legacy and reputation, Mackems might endure the same fate unless Le Bris is smart and shrewd with his summer business.

What Talbi Would Offer In Le Bris’ Lineup

Having revived his career at Sunderland, Patrick Roberts was instrumental to their promotion with 44 league games as a right midfielder. He slotted in well in the French boss’s 4-2-3-1 set-up, but his lack of top-flight experience could lead to trouble amid the uncertainty over Ian Poveda’s future. The former Leeds star hardly featured due to form and fitness reasons, and the rising Moroccan ace would offer more flair and finesse as Roberts’ understudy down the wide. Talbi holds all the traits to cement a starting spot in due course and could become an asset alongside the crop of exciting talents at the Stadium of Light.