Sunderland’s pursuit of a new striker has continued to drag on as they approach their first game of the season.
The Black Cats had looked set to snap up a new No.9 when it was reported last week that Alexandre Mendy had arrived for a medical.
However, nothing ever progressed and it appears that Sunderland are still trying to persuade Caen to sell up, while Mendy remains in France.
While talks with Mendy seem to still be very much alive, concerns around Kylian Mbappe’s takeover of Caen have surfaced and Sunderland are now beginning to run out of time.
Mendy isn’t Sunderland’s only striker target though, with the club having expressed interest in Jay Stansfield since last summer.
The youngster netted 12 goals on loan at Birmingham City last season, while the Blues are one of a number of clubs eager to snap him up before deadline day.
Birmingham seem ready to splash out this summer as they look to return to the Championship, and their willingness to cough up millions could prevent a deal for Sunderland.
Birmingham City want Sunderland target
Now, Birmingham manager Chris Davies has confirmed his interest in bringing Stansfield back to the Midlands.
Speaking to Birmingham World, Davies said: “There’s always a chance.
“He’s a player that won all the awards last year and when I analysed the team before I came in he was the stand-out player. He’s gone back to a really good Premier League club that obviously value him highly and they have their own plans and their own ambitions.
“If he became available and we could do it, it would be something that would be really exciting for everyone. But everyone knows it will be a challenge to do that.”
Sunderland should try snap Jay Stansfield up on loan
Stansfield could reportedly cost up to £6 million – a price tag which the Black Cats certainly won’t be meeting.
If Birmingham remain keen, then they could well be the only team matching his valuation.
However, if Fulham are still willing to loan him out, then Sunderland will surely be in the mix.
Stansfield shouldn’t be dropping down to League One after such an impressive season, while it is up for debate as to whether other interest parties – Hull City and Cardiff – are better options than a trip to Wearside.
The 21-year-old’s future could go down to the wire though and Sunderland fans will get very impatient if they haven’t signed a striker before the final days of the window.