Sunderland are all but out of the race to sign this international striker target, who’s just been made a free agent.
Sunderland are once again in desperate need of a new striker. But once again it appears as though the cub are falling short in their efforts.
Earlier this summer, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman outlined the need for a new striker, and there’s one name who he appears to be working hard to sign.
Sunderland are targeting Alexandre Mendy at Caen following his impressive 2023/24 season in Ligue 2, winning the league’s Golden Boot with 22 goals.
Last month, it was claimed that Mendy was undergoing a medical at Sunderland, though that claim was quickly played down.
As things stand, Mendy isn’t training with Caen as he awaits on his proposed move to the Stadium of Light.
Another name has since emerged on Sunderland’s radar in Zan Vipotnik; the Slovenian international played at Euro 2024 and journalist Michael Graham recently said that Sunderland have definitely looked at Vipotnik in the past.
Sunderland striker target Zan Vipotnik released by Bordeaux
French giants Bordeaux have recently filed for bankruptcy, being demoted to the French third tier and losing their professional status.
Since, Vipotnik has been released, becoming a free agent just before the start of the 2024/25 season across Europe.
An emerging report from Slovenian outlet Planet Nogomet however has played down Sunderland’s interest in the 22-year-old.
Their report says that Sunderland were previously interested in Vipotnik, going on to play down their current interest in the striker who scored 10 goals in Ligue 2 last time round.
The teams now interested include German duo Schalke and VfL Bochum, along with Dinamo Zagreb among others across Europe.
Kristjaan Speakman must quickly change Sunderland stance on Zan Vipotnik
Vipotnik is clearly someone who Sunderland like and have done their due diligence on in the past.
For whatever reason, the Black Cats moved on; be that because of concerns about his quality or about his price tag remains to be seen.
But now a free agent, Sunderland may view a move for Vipotnik as a risk-free move given that he won’t cost the club a transfer fee.
Whilst there’s always risks bringing in a player from abroad who’s never played in Europe, his goals tally in the French second tier last season was fairly impressive, and the fact that he’s an international striker speaks volumes about his ability and potential.
With a move for Mendy looking uncertain, Sunderland could do a lot worse than swoop for Vipotnik on a free transfer, even if he becomes a second-fiddle to another striker signing this summer.