Sunderland are chasing a deal for Alexandre Mendy at Caen.
Sunderland target Alexandre Mendy at Caen is in transfer limbo right now.
Mendy wants to join Sunderland this summer but Caen are playing hardball over his potential move to the Stadium of Light.
The 30-year-old scored 22 times in Ligue 2 last season and won the league’s Golden Boot award.
Caen subsequently want a fee close to £4million for their star man. But the Black Cats appear unwilling to meet that fee, with Sunderland ridiculed for their low offer for Mendy previously.
Now, there’s a stalemate between the two teams. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman appears to have a plan in place, though.
It’s said that Sunderland hope to sign Mendy for £2.5million, but that the club are relying on Mendy’s willingness to leave Caen to lower the French club’s asking price.
Whilst a touch unusual, it’s not the craziest transfer plan ever heard of.
But for manager Regis Le Bris, the drama and the noise surrounding this Mendy deal may not be such a welcome thing.
Why Regis Le Bris may not like Sunderland plan for Alexandre Mendy
On the surface, it certainly seems like Mendy has kicked up a bit of a fuss at Caen.
Mendy has recently returned to training with Caen too, only serving to make the situation more complicated and likely more awkward for himself.
Sunderland seemingly want Mendy to continue to push for an exit so that the club can get a cheaper deal.
Should Mendy do that, it won’t portray his attitude in a great light, and whilst he may be a good goal-scorer, albeit unproven in England, Le Bris wont want any bad attitude around the first-team squad.
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Alexandre Mendy could repeat Caen trick at Sunderland
With Mendy pushing for a move away from Caen after his impressive stint there, there’s nothing to suggest that he wouldn’t go on to do the same at Sunderland.
Suppose that Mendy signs, has a good season where he scores 15 or so goals in the Championship, and links to a Premier League side emerge; Mendy’s track record would suggest that he’d do everything he can to force that move through.
Sunderland can’t take risks on player’s like that and so whether or not this latest plan to sign the Guinean is a good idea, from a Le Bris perspective anyway, remains to be seen.