Sunderland are interested in SM Caen centre-forward Alexandre Mendy but a deal remains far from complete despite reports from France suggesting the 30-year-old is on the brink of making a move to Wearside.
Sunderland are currently in Spain taking part in a warm weather training camp as Régis Le Bris continues to get to grips with his new squad after being appointed the club’s new head coach earlier this summer.
Sources in Spain have confirmed to We Are Sunderland a deal for Mendy remains far from complete at this stage as the club continues to monitor its options at centre-forward.
Le Bris’ side contested their first friendly on the Spanish coast in a 1-1 draw with the Premier League’s Nottingham Forest with 19-year-old Eliezer Mayenda leading the attack. Mayenda was one of four centre-forward additions made by the club last summer who contributed just three goals between them as Sunderland’s struggles in front of goal
Clarke was Sunderland’s top scorer last season as the club have still to find a permanent replacement for Ross Stewart following his season-ending injury in January 2023 before the Scotsman was then sold to Southampton last summer for a fee in the region of £10million.
Reports in France last week suggested Sunderland had registered their interest in Mendy and had even gone as far as having a bid rejected for the forward, with Josue Casse of FootMercato now suggesting Mendy has made his decision to join Sunderland this summer.
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“I know the club well, he told me about the president Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, his values and his convictions which are those that I share. There’s also the coach Régis Le Bris, a very strong tactical coach, who can help me move up a level. He exudes serenity and natural strength..