The Alexandre Mendy transfer saga continues, with the forward’s latest statement providing another twist in the tale.
Sunderland’s proposed move for Mendy has been the story of the summer at the Stadium of Light and shows no signs of ending any time soon. With the Black Cats’ season due to start against Cardiff City this Saturday, the club are short of quality in front of goal.
The club’s interest in SM Caen’s Mendy was made clear a few weeks ago. The striker released a statement via French outlet, Foot Mercato, stating he had chosen to join Sunderland over a move to Saudi Arabia.
However, it was reported by Sport in Caen that the Black Cats’ opening bid was under £1 million, which is well short of Caen’s valuation of the player. Speaking exclusively with Football League World recently, France-based journalist Luke Entwistle claimed that a fee of between £3-4 million would be required to land Mendy.
Mendy’s move was further scuppered when it was revealed by Foot Mercato that Kylian Mbappe’s purchase of Caen was seemingly holding up the move. The French outlet claimed that the Real Madrid player wanted to speak with Mendy to convince him to stay.
While it appeared the deal had gone quiet, Mendy released another statement via Foot Mercato on Saturday, clearly reiterating his intention to leave. In his statement, Mendy said: “My decision was made in January and since June my destination has been known.”
Despite Mendy’s statements, a deal is yet to have been agreed between the two clubs, and it remains to be seen whether Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will break his transfer record.
Louis-Dreyfus’ unwillingness to spend could cost Black Cats
Since Louis-Dreyfus’ arrival at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland’s transfer strategy has been careful and considered. For years, the club had misspent on players, paying the price for their ill-thought decisions and Louis-Dreyfus will not make the same mistakes.
The deadline day signing of Will Grigg from Wigan Athletic for £4 million is the prime example of wasted millions. The club’s hit Netflix documentary series ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’ portrayed then owner, Stewart Donald’s, desperate attempt at signing a striker, who ultimately failed in the North East.
The Northern Irishman eventually left on a free transfer to MK Dons, having scored eight goals in 62 appearances for the Black Cats.
Clearly, Louis-Dreyfus does not want to make the same mistakes as his predecessor, but his unwillingness to pay the price for Mendy could be extremely costly for his lofty ambitions at Sunderland.
The club have failed to fill the void left by prolific forward, Ross Stewart, who was sold in the summer of 2023 to then Championship rivals, Southampton. Stewart arrived on Wearside for a mere £338,000 and recorded 40 goals in 80 appearances. The Scotsman was sold for £9.30 million, demonstrating a substantial profit for the club.
It has been almost a year since Stewart’s departure, and the club have failed to fill the forward’s boots. Last season, Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn and Luis ‘Hemir’ Semedo managed a meager three goals between them, emphasising the need for a goal-scoring striker.
Up until now, the £2.5 million spent on Ukranian forward, Rusyn, represents the highest fee spent on a player under Louis-Dreyfus’ reign. This statistic portrays a clear strategy, but following this method will make it difficult to acquire someone of Mendy’s quality.
FOR MORE NEWS CLICK HERE
