Feyenoord Drops Anis Hadj Moussa for NEC Match Following Late Arrivals and Saudi Transfer Bids
Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst left Algerian winger Anis Hadj Moussa out of the squad to face NEC on Saturday following disciplinary breaches, as Saudi club Al-Ittihad pursues a multi-million-euro transfer.
Disciplinary exclusion in Nijmegen
Feyenoord left winger Anis Hadj Moussa out of the matchday squad for Saturday's Eredivisie away fixture against NEC in Nijmegen. The 24-year-old Algerian international reported late twice on Saturday morning, first arriving late for the team bus departure from the 1908 training complex and subsequently turning up late for the pre-match team meeting. Although Hadj Moussa traveled with the squad to Nijmegen, head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst removed him from the team sheet after the second violation. Van Bronckhorst noted before the 16:30 kickoff that intense transfer discussions had heavily affected the player over the previous 48 hours.
I have complete understanding for his situation, but I have to make choices in the interest of the team. I want players whose heads are in the game.
Escalating Saudi offers and Rotterdam resistance
The disciplinary action follows aggressive transfer efforts from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad to sign Hadj Moussa. Al-Ittihad submitted a formal offer of 37.5 million euros on Friday, paired with a proposed five-season player contract worth more than 50 million euros. Feyenoord rejected that offer on Friday evening, prompting the Saudi club to increase its bid by several million euros on Saturday morning. Although Hadj Moussa previously stated earlier in the window that he was not interested in moving to Saudi Arabia, he requested to make the move following the latest contract offer. Hadj Moussa joined Feyenoord in 2024 from Belgian side Patro Eisden for 3.5 million euros and remains under contract in Rotterdam until mid-2030.
We can no longer replace him, so he stays.
- Feyenoord signs Hadj Moussa from Belgian club Patro Eisden for 3.5 million euros
- Technical director Dévy Rigaux states Hadj Moussa will stay due to the closed Dutch transfer window
- Feyenoord rejects a 37.5 million euro transfer offer from Al-Ittihad
- Hadj Moussa arrives late twice and is omitted from the match squad against NEC
- Transfer deadline in Saudi Arabia closes at 17:00
Squad constraints and tactical adjustments
Feyenoord technical director Dévy Rigaux confirmed that the club refused all bids because the Dutch transfer window is closed, leaving no mechanism to sign replacements from other clubs. A sale would restrict Feyenoord strictly to unattached free agents to reinforce the squad. The Rotterdam club had already sold striker Ayase Ueda, the top scorer in the Eredivisie last season, during the summer window. To adjust the lineup in Nijmegen, Van Bronckhorst handed a start to Spanish striker Nacho Ferri, who had logged only 52 minutes across three substitute appearances this season. Opponents NEC also introduced new starters, fielding defender Almugera Kabar, on loan from Borussia Dortmund, alongside forward Kaj Sierhuis, signed from Fortuna Sittard.
I have been told that he is absolutely not leaving.
Looming deadline and closing transfer window
The transfer standoff has drawn differing reactions, with former Sparta Rotterdam technical director Henk van Stee stating on FC Rijnmond that Feyenoord should accept the offer, arguing that fees of 37.5 million euros are rarely matched for Eredivisie wingers. In response to Feyenoord's refusal, Al-Ittihad informed PSV Eindhoven of their interest in winger Esmir Bajraktarevic as an alternative option if talks for Hadj Moussa fail entirely. Saudi Arabian clubs face a strict deadline, with their transfer window closing at 17:00 on Sunday, 6 September. Feyenoord management stated that their decision to retain Hadj Moussa remains firm through the final 24 hours of the Saudi window.
