Club Brugge are stepping up their preparations for the new season in Belgium’s Jupiler League by taking on Rangers at Ibrox.
However, with Sunderland having agreed a deal to take Talbi to the Stadium of Light, the 20-year-old has been left out of Club Brugge’s matchday squad in Glasgow.
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The Black Cats have agreed a deal worth around £19.5m for Talbi, who has spent part of the weekend undergoing a medical with Sunderland’s medical staff after being given permission to leave the Brugge squad.
Talbi has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in Belgium football and starred for Club Brugge last season, playing 11 times in the Champions League and scoring twice.
The 20-year-old is comfortable playing on either flank and will boost Regis Le Bris’ attacking options, with Sunderland having prioritised the arrival of at least one new wide player this summer.
Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle were Sunderland’s first choice wingers last season, but the latter’s campaign was disrupted by two injury setbacks. With Tommy Watson having left for Brighton, the Black Cats looked short in the wide areas.
The arrival of Talbi will be another major coup for Sunderland, with the winger having been of interest to Napoli, RB Leipzig and at least three clubs in Saudi Arabia this summer.
Sunderland have already completed three signings this summer, bringing in Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, and have also agreed terms with free agent Reinildo following the left-back’s release from Atletico Madrid.
