Sunderland are once again in the market for a new striker.
Sunderland have been plagued by the lack of an out and out no.9 since their return to the Championship in 2022.
The Black Cats started that 2022/23 Championship season with Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms up front and Alex Neil was getting a real tune out of the side.
But Stewart’s injury woes, which are persistent to this day, soon got underway, before Simms was recalled by Everton midway through the season.
Since then, Sunderland have desperately lacked a prolific no.9, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman having tried desperately to plug the gap, but failing on three counts last summer.
Sunderland brought in Mason Burstow on loan, and both Nazariy Rusyn an Luis Hemir on permanent deals, with the trio managing just three league goals between them last time round.
Several strikers have been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light this summer. But none have signed.
Sunderland linked with Alexandre Mendy and Ike Ugbo
Earlier this summer, Sunderland were heavily linked with Alexandre Mendy at Caen.
The 30-year-old ended last season as the top scorer in Ligue 2 with 22 goals and has been linked with Sunderland and Al Riyadh.
Sunderland tabled a bid less than seven-figures, whereas Caen want something closer to around £4million.
Since, Mendy has released a statement outlining his desire to leave Caen, and his agent has since released a statement expressing his disgust at Caen’s treatment of the player.
Meanwhile, Sunderland were recently linked with Ike Ugbo. But Sheffield Wednesday are tipped to sign Ugbo now, with fresh reports suggesting that the Owls are paying £3million for the Canadian international.
Sunderland dodge £3m bullet, but Speakman must now avoid Alexandre Mendy deal
£3million for a player who, in fairness shone in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday in the second half of last season, but who lacks overall Championship experience, seems like a hefty fee, especially for Sunderland.
So Speakman may feel as though he’s perhaps dodged a very expensive bullet there, as there was no guarantee that Ugbo would’ve fitted into the system or even maintained the same form from last season.
And Speakman may now have second thoughts about Mendy; first after Mendy’s rather eye-opening statement, and now his agent’s statement which has only fuelled the fire.
Sunderland may not want to host a player who evidently kicks up a fuss when he doesn’t get his way.
That, and Sunderland may have to pay well over £1million for Mendy; a player who’s now 30 and who’s never played in England.
It’d be an expensive risk for Sunderland, hence why they seem to have cooled their interest in the striker after finding out he won’t be available on the cheap.
Even though Sunderland desperately need a striker, neither Mendy nor Ugbo seem like good fits, but for different reasons.
Speakman still has time to sign someone. But time is rapidly running out.