It could Turk longer for Khazri to exit

WAHBI Khazri’s Wearside exit may take a little longer as one of the clubs in for him effectively pulled out of the race, writes STUART JAMIESON.

Turkish giants Galatasaray were keen on bringing the Sunderland man to Turk Telekom Stadium this summer, but now look set to sign West Ham winger Sofiane Feghouli.

Algerian winger Feghouli will cost Galatasaray in the region of £4.5m – and financial fair play restrictions mean the Turkish club are unlikely to be able to sanction any other big moves in this window.

That leaves their interest in Khazri very much in the balance, with Sunderland looking to recoup most – if not all – of the £9m they paid Bordeaux for the player in January 2016.

Khazri’s first half-season on Wearside under Sam Allardyce was a success, as he played a major role in helping keep the Black Cats in the Premier League.

However, he found opportunities harder to come by last term under David Moyes, and then largely failed to deliver when given the chance.

Supporters point to the fact he rarely had a run in the side and therefore was unable to find any consistent form.

Khazri (inset below) has done well in pre-season so far, scoring in the 2-2 draw with Hibernian on Sunday, but new manager Simon Grayson admits he won’t stand in his way if he wants to leave.

“Every player at every club has a price and you will be looking to see what is happening at different clubs, but while they’re here they’ll do what’s required and do everything to try and get in the team for the first game of the season,” Grayson said of Khazri and fellow midfielder Jeremain Lens.

“While they are still here, we will utilise them, and do whatever is needed to keep them or get rid of them, whatever the case might be. Who knows what’s around the corner with any of the players?

“Somebody might come in and offer money for one of our players that nobody is talking about at the moment. That’s just football.

“He (Khazri) is a talented player and that’s why he is at Sunderland and has played in the Premier League.

“Time will tell who will stay at the football club.

“You’ve seen in the two games that he’s a good player, and we want to keep good players.

“It’s then up to other clubs or the individuals to decide possibly if they don’t want to be at this football club.”