The volcanic fraction of impure volcano-arenitic beds of the Reitano Flysch (Early Oligocene, Sicilian Maghrebian Chain) was investigated by petrographic, geochemical and radiometric techniques. Two distinct volcanic grain populations were recognized: (1) paleovolcanic clasts, Late-Permian in age and calc-alkaline in character, probably linked to late-Hercynian magmatism and (2) alkaline (potassic) neovolcanic clasts. As regards the alkaline fraction, it is difficult to link its provenance with the Oligocene-Miocene Sardinia volcanism. Indeed, this latter volcanism shows a distinct calc-alkaline character typical of subduction and/or collision-related magmas. We suggest that the volcanic sources of this alkaline fraction could be related to magmatic events close to the sedimentary basin and associated with extensional processes preluding the opening of new oceanic areas (i.e. Algero-Provençal Basin and Sardinia Rift).