The Black Cats were hoping to bring the striker to Wearside to boost their attacking options
Sources in France have delivered the latest twist on the on-off Alexandre Mendy move to Sunderland. The Black Cats’ proposed move for the SM Caen striker “no longer seems to be on the horizon”, according to claims in his native country.
The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Stadium of Light for several weeks now, and has made it very clear in recent days that he wishes to seal a switch before the end of the transfer window later this month.
Matters were complicated by the arrival of new owners at his current club, with a consortium led by Real Madrid icon Kylian Mbappe completing a takeover of Caen in late July. The World Cup winner and his investors are understood to be keen on ensuring Mendy stays put and they are mindful the forward finished last season as the top scorer in Ligue 2.
And that wish appears to be gaining traction as the Guinea-Bissau international was pictured in first-team training with Caen on Tuesday after being absent from their Normandy base for a number of weeks. It is understood that Mendy began pre-season with his team-mates, but has been working alone as he waited for his anticipated move to Sunderland to be rubber-stamped.
French journalist Mathieu Billeaud, on social media, said: “First training session for Lorenzo Rajot, the second recruit of SM Caen – with the presence on the pitch of Alexandre Mendy. While he wants to join Sunderland, the striker has been back at the training centre for a week, contenting himself with work in the room.”
But broadcaster France3 have now responded to the sighting of Mendy with an intriguing update of their own. According to a report from the television channel, the forward’s reappearance at Caen comes as a “big surprise”, and while it is true that he “has been training alone for a month, waiting for a planned transfer”, it is suggested that such an exit “no longer seems to be on the horizon”.
The main sticking point appears to be the fee. Sunderland, along with other clubs, have not offered above €1 million [£858,000] for Mendy, while Caen are said to value him at least three times higher than that.
As such, Mendy could feature in some capacity during Caen’s season opener against Paris FC this weekend.
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