Former Algeria manager Rabah Saâdane says Arsenal‘s interest in Hull City‘s Mohamed Belloumi means a great deal for him and sent a message about leaving the Premier League side in the winter market. 

The winger is a product of MC Oran’s youth system and spent a year with their first team. He left the Algerian club to join Farense in 2022. Two years later, Hull City signed him from the Portuguese side.

He was mainly a substitute in the first two seasons in the Championship. The Tigers then secured promotion to the top flight, and Belloumi has enjoyed a good run this season. He has 703 minutes in 10 matches, managing three goals and two assists.

At the weekend, Sergej Jakirović left him out of the squad in Hull City’s 1-0 league defeat to Arsenal.

Hull City man won’t close door on Arsenal 

Last week, Sport Witness relayed news of Mikel Arteta’s side wanting to sign the 24-year-old in January. He’s happy that the Gunners showed interest and won’t refuse an offer if they were to table one.

The Algeria international wants to focus on his development at Hull City while waiting to find out whether Arsenal will make further advances.

Arsenal have to decide whether to make a strong push to sign Mohamed Belloumi as early as the next window. Meanwhile, Africa Foot spoke to Rabah Saâdane, who has managed Algeria on three occasions.

Mohamed Belloumi suffered a cruciate ligament injury in November 2024, forcing him to miss the rest of the 2024/25 season. A hamstring injury and a thigh muscle injury saw the attacker spend 121 days on the sidelines last season.

Arsenal interest excites coach 

The Algerian has eight goals and eight assists from 45 matches for the Tigers. Africa Foot asks Rabah Saâdane whether Mohamed Belloumi’s development at Hull City has come as a surprise to him.

He said: “No. He’s a talented player. He’s left-footed with excellent individual technique. He has good vision. You can see he’s capable of scoring and creating goals. He’s still young, which means he can still improve.”

“Belloumi has made some interesting choices since the beginning of his career. He spent two years at a modest Portuguese club, where he was able to continue his development without too much pressure.

“The big question was his ability to adapt to the English league, even the Championship. He managed to do so, despite a serious injury in 2025/26 [24/25 season]. And he also played a key role in his team’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of last season.”

The outlet informs the former coach about Arsenal wanting to sign the Hull City player in January.

When asked whether a departure is ‘inevitable’, Saâdane explained: “It’s significant that a club like Arsenal is interested in him. I think Bachir Belloumi is attracting interest from top clubs, and that he will leave Hull soon.”

“But I’m a proponent of stability, and leaving mid-season is never easy, because you have to adapt, find your place. I’ve always believed it’s better to wait until the end of the season to leave and complete a full preseason with your new team.”

Despite Saâdane’s advice, his compatriot is likely to accept if the Gunners make an offer in January.