Feyenoord have rejected a €37.5m offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad for Algeria winger Anis Hadj-Moussa, according to De Telegraaf.
Despite the substantial proposal, which would have given Feyenoord a new club record for a player sale, the Rotterdam side have decided to keep Hadj-Moussa at De Kuip, at least for the time being.
The decision is a significant development in the transfer negotiations, with Al Ittihad now understood to have moved on to another attacking target. The Saudi club are reportedly pursuing PSV Eindhoven winger Esmir Bajraktarevic after Feyenoord declined their approach for Hadj-Moussa.
Al Ittihad’s interest in Bajraktarevic has already been communicated to PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch champions could be receptive to the possibility of a transfer, particularly because competition for the right-wing position has increased since the arrival of Sami Ouaissa.
Feyenoord’s choice to retain Hadj-Moussa could nevertheless prove costly if Al Ittihad end their pursuit permanently. The Saudi club had previously made another attempt earlier in the transfer window, with a bid close to €30m, as exclusively reported by Africafoot.
That earlier offer was rejected by technical director Devy Rigaux. Feyenoord were reluctant to lose several attacking players within a short period and wanted to preserve a squad capable of competing in the Champions League.
Al Ahli also explored the possibility of signing the 24-year-old winger during the summer, according to exclusive sources cited by Africafoot.
Hadj-Moussa remains under contract with Feyenoord until June 2030. His current market value is estimated at €23m by Transfermarkt, meaning the club’s decision to reject Al Ittihad’s latest offer represents a sizeable premium over that assessment.
The Algeria international continues to attract strong interest in the transfer market, but he is now expected to remain in Rotterdam for the moment. Al Ittihad, meanwhile, could focus their remaining efforts on securing Bajraktarevic before the Saudi transfer window closes.
Hadj-Moussa is reported to earn an annual salary of €490,000, equivalent to 318,500,000 FCFA.
Feyenoord will soon return to domestic action when they face NEC Nijmegen in their fifth league match of the season. The fixture will provide another opportunity for Hadj-Moussa to feature for the Dutch club after his proposed move to Saudi Arabia failed to materialise.
Betting company 1xBet lists Feyenoord as favourites for the match, with the home side priced at 2.20 to win. A draw is valued at 3.90, while NEC Nijmegen are priced at 2.90.