Sunderland appear to face uncertainty over a possible deal for striker target Alexandre Mendy.
Sunderland are trying to sign Alexandre Mendy from Caen, following his 22-goal haul in Ligue 2 last season.
Reports on Wednesday claimed that Mendy was undergoing a Sunderland medical, though those rumours were quickly shut down.
Since then, reports in France have suggested that Sunderland’s pursuit of Mendy could drag on amid differences regarding the price tag for the 30-year-old, with Caen potentially wanting upwards of £4million.
Expect sporting director Kristjaan Speakman to keep his options open ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season under new head coach Regis Le Bris.
Speakman was stung in January after it was revealed that Sunderland agreed deals to sign two new strikers, though both fell through.
But it appears as though Speakman has learned from his January mistakes and is eyeing more than one striker right now, with an unnamed Championship man on his radar.
Sunderland eyeing unnamed Championship striker amid Alexandre Mendy uncertainty
Journalist Michael Graham has revealed on X that Sunderland have a ‘strong interest’ in an as-yet-unnamed Championship striker.
Graham adds that said striker ‘scored some Championship goals last season’ but fails to hint further at who it might be.
Graham also suggests that Sunderland’s marquee striker signing this summer could be this unnamed player, or Mendy, and that the Black Cats ‘definitely’ tried for ‘another’ striker last week.
Who is this unnamed Sunderland striker target?
Right now, it could be one of many strikers who either played in the Championship last season, on loan from another club, or who is still playing in the Championship.
It would be guesswork to throw names out there. But the fact that it’s a striker who scored goals in the second tier further reiterates the idea that Speakman wants experienced and established Championship signings this summer.
Sunderland have signed Ian Poveda who is another free agent signing, and another signing that brings second tier expertise with him.
But Le Bris will need more this summer in order to give him both depth and quality for the upcoming season.
Speakman is under pressure to deliver positive results in the summer transfer market, with a new striker signing right at the top of his to-do list.
Mendy looks like a signing that would go down well with fans. Though this unnamed striker may yet surprise a few people, and it could be a potentially shrewd signing depending on who it is, and the price that Sunderland have to pay.
FOR MORE NEWS CLICK HERE
