Giovanni van Bronckhorst has dismissed speculation surrounding Anis Hadj Moussa's future at Feyenoord, insisting the Algerian winger will remain at the Dutch club despite escalating interest from Saudi Arabia's Ittihad Club. The manager confirmed club hierarchy have assured him the forward is not for sale, even as the Saudi side increased their bid to approximately €40 million following an initial €37.5 million rejection.
Hadj Moussa was absent from Feyenoord's Eredivisie clash against NEC on Saturday afternoon—a decision Van Bronckhorst attributed to the distractions surrounding his potential transfer. The 24-year-old winger's focus has visibly wavered during the speculation, arriving late to team meetings twice on matchday. "I think it is clear to everyone that it has also been very tough for him. His mind is not on it," Van Bronckhorst explained. The manager confirmed Hadj Moussa travelled with the squad to Nijmegen but ultimately deemed his exclusion the right call. "He was late this morning, but he was also late this afternoon for a meeting. That was the final straw for me that today would not be the day for him to be involved."
Club Stance Remains Firm
Despite Ittihad's persistence—their improved offer came just 48 hours after an initial bid was rejected—the Feyenoord hierarchy have made their position abundantly clear to Van Bronckhorst. The coach responded with conviction when pressed about potential squad adjustments should Hadj Moussa leave: "I think he is not leaving. I have been told that he is absolutely not leaving." This categorical statement signals the Rotterdam club's unwillingness to entertain further negotiations, even at the elevated €40 million price point.
Hadj Moussa's importance to Feyenoord's attacking setup cannot be overstated. Last season, the winger demonstrated his quality as a crucial attacking outlet, and Van Bronckhorst views him as integral to the team's ambitions this campaign. The manager expects the player to rejoin squad activities and return to full focus following this weekend's fixture against NEC. Van Bronckhorst remains committed to maximizing the potential of his talented group, emphasizing that player development and cohesion will ultimately determine whether Feyenoord can challenge for silverware this season.
