Sunderland have moved closer to capturing their attacking target ahead of the Championship season.
The Black Cats have been making slow, yet steady progress so far in the transfer window, with just the two arrivals at the Stadium of Light so far.
Experienced Championship figures Simon Moore and Alan Browne have arrived on Wearside as Regis Le Bris looks to add leaders to his young squad.
The signing of a striker holds much importance ahead of Sunderland’s season, with the likes of Nazariy Rusyn and Luis Hemir not being able to quite live up to expectations so far during their tenure at the Stadium of Light.
Le Bris will be keen to play Jobe Bellingham in midfield, as opposed to filling a gap at striker, therefore a striker signing has been of utmost importance for Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman.
Le Bris is close to getting his wish, as Speakman has now made significant progress on a current transfer target that will finally bring a guarantee of goals to the club.
Caen striker Alexandre Mendy ‘decided to join’ Sunderland
Sunderland have made significant progress in their pursuit for a striker ahead of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, as Alexandre Mendy has reportedly ‘decided to join’ the club, per Josue Casse on X.
The striker initially had the option to join between the Black Cats and Saudi Arabian side Al-Riyadh, however the Guinea-Bissau international is reportedly keen on a move to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland still reportedly have to find ‘common ground’ on contract talks with Mendy in order to bring him to the club.
The striker finished as top scorer in Ligue 2 in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 22 goals across the league season.
He also has experience playing in Ligue 1, bagging 14 goals across 92 games in France’s top flight.
Sunderland signing Alexandre Mendy ticks all the boxes
Mendy’s goalscoring pedigree is certainly a reason for Sunderland fans to get excited ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season, with it now looking likely that they have an experienced bagsman, as opposed to relying on youngsters with very little experience.
Sunderland’s main issue in the 2023/24 campaign, especially in front of goal, was confidence, which derives from the lack of experience of playing at such a level for Sunderland’s strikers.
Although he is yet to apply his trade in England, his proven ability to score in Ligue 1 will be enough to ensure that he can compete and make a significant difference at this level.
It’s likely that Mendy won’t be on a significantly high wage, nor will he demand a high fee, therefore Speakman has done incredibly well in pursuing a target that will need very little convincing from this point, and one that will guarantee goals without significantly depleting Sunderland’s financial resources.