WAHBI KHAZRI'S Sunderland stay is over after moving to St Etienne in a deal that could eventually be worth £9m.

The Tunisian has been the subject of interest from the French club and Rennes all summer but St-Étienne have pulled off the deal.

Sunderland are understood to be due a fee initially of around the £6m mark and that could rise to £9m depending on add-ons.

Khazri has been on the pay-roll at the Stadium of Light since joining from Bordeaux in January 2016 for £9m when Sam Allardyce turned to him to help lead a successful survival charge.

He was loaned to Rennes last season and the 27-year-old was a success and wanted back there, but they failed to reach a financial agreement with Sunderland and the player.

Khazri will be playing in Ligue 1 again and a Sunderland statement read: "Sunderland would like to wish Wahbi good luck at his new club."

Khazri played well for Tunisia at the World Cup and Sunderland are looking to now offload Papy Djilobodji, Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong who have all outlined a desire to leave.