Algerian World Cup player may be Sounders target

Right-sided winger and occasional forward Hilal El Arabi Soudani moved to Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 to chase his Champions League dreams. Now, after two short years of failing to get out of the group stage, the Algerian is looking to leave Dinamo Zagreb. Brugges, Newcastle, Brighton, Norwich City and Seattle Sounders are all chasing him according to Le Buteur. It’s also possible Garth Lagerwey was scouting him during Dinamo’s recent Champions League game against Juventus.

Soudani was at the 2014 World Cup with Algeria where he played 166 minutes in two starts and one sub appearance. In total he has 21 goals for Algeria, being most successful in the recent African Cup of Nations Qualifying where he scored seven goals.

In his four seasons with Dinamo Zagreb he has 44 goals and 29 assists in 91 appearances (79 starts, 12 sub appearances). He also played for Vitória Guimarães in Portugal and his hometown club ASO Chlef in Chlef, Algeria.

Soudani is 29. According to Mount Royal Soccer writer and Algeria NT fan Sofiane Benzaza, Soudani is a left-footed player that would be a good get for a team like the Sounders, but could require a DP-level salary.

chazz4444 passed this rumor onto us via the comments in the Victor Ibarbo story. Soudani certainly feels like the type of player that would be of interest to the Sounders. He fits the inverted winger style the team has employed for some time and will be available on a free quite soon. He is from a good, but not great soccer nation and has played in good, but not great leagues.