Sunderland tried to sign ‘huge talent’ Mourinho wants at Roma now

Follow us on Google Discover

Sunderland showed an interest in bringing former Huddersfield Town midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri back to England from Serie A outfit Sampdoria during the summer transfer window, according to SampNews24 and Il Secolo. 

The Morocco-born former Germany U21 international certainly has unfinished business in England.

Injuries restricted him to just seven Premier League appearances for Huddersfield between 2017 and 2019 after all; his contract terminated just two years after the Terriers paid £1 million to take him away from Nurnberg. Not that Sabiri is in any rush to leave a Sampdoria side where he is playing the best football of his career however.

Now 25, Sabiri is a regular at the heart of Samp’s midfield. He’s started all five of their Serie A games so far this term; putting those long-standing fitness problems behind him at last. 

In fact, he’s been so impressive that, amongst others, Jose Mourinho’s Roma have expressed an interest. Sabiri was outstanding in the recent 0-0 draw with Juventus too. No wonder Sampdoria are looking to tie him down to fresh terms,  

Sunderland like former Huddersfield Town man Abdelhamid Sabiri

“(Whether he can be one of Serie A’s breakthrough stars) depends on the player. Because he has so many qualities to establish himself,” says Samp coach Marco Giampaolo.  

“It depends on him because he has all the ingredients to be able to do so.”

According to reports, Championship newcomers Sunderland looked into a deal for Sabiri over the summer. Now, with Roma keen and with Sabiri going from strength to strength in one of Europe’s major leagues, this particular ship appears to have sailed as far as the Black Cats are concerned.  

Sabiri, once described as a ‘huge talent’ by former Huddersfield boss David Wagner, prefers to go about his business in an attacking midfield role, drifting out wide to influence proceedings. 

“I like to be a mezzala,” he explains. “Even if I am perhaps more of a playmaker in terms of quality. I like to be involved in the game often. To touch the ball many times.”