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Post by macmackem on Jul 19, 2024 18:59:33 GMT
Less than €1m for the league’s top goal scorer - not a serious offer. A joke Les, but that's SAFC all over |
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Post by Les on Jul 20, 2024 19:36:39 GMT
ChronicleAlexandre Mendy Sunderland transfer 'decision made'The Black Cats are closing in on a deal for the French striker Sunderland transfer target Alexandre Mendy has reportedly chosen Wearside as his next footballing destination amid the striker’s imminent departure from French second tier outfit SM Caen. Guinea-Bissau international Mendy scored 23 times in 39 outings for Caen last season, with his form catching the eye of a variety of suitors including Sunderland, Sampdoria, as well as Egyptian side Al-Ahly and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Riyadh. However, reports circulating on Friday evening indicate that the 30-year-old is pushing for a Black Cats move, and has made his desires known to join Regis Le Bris’ side. Journalist at reputable French outlet Foot Mercato - Josue Casse - posted on social media on Friday: “Alexandre Mendy has decided to join Sunderland, the two clubs must now find common ground.” According to French outlet Sport in Caen, Saudi Pro League outfit Al Riyadh made an initial bid of €500,000 for Mendy, which was rejected by Caen. Meanwhile, the Black Cats have also had a bid rejected, believed to be higher than Al Riyadh’s but still less than €1m. With the recent revelations of the frontman’s desire to join the Black Cats, it seems as though the two sides must find that ‘common ground’ in terms of the financial aspects of the deal for it to go through, with Mendy giving the green light for the transfer to go ahead. As a result of his desire and expectation to depart Stade Malherbe, the former Bordeaux frontman has been following an individual training programme in Caen, while his teammates are playing their pre-season fixtures in Switzerland. Given his prolific record of 65 goals in 142 appearances during his four years at the Ligue 2 side, and with two years left to run on his current Caen deal, the number nine will not be allowed to depart France for a minimal fee and Sunderland will have to bump up their initial offering to secure the striker’s sought-after services. Foot Mercato’s report on Mendy further reveals that an ‘interested party’, told the outlet: “When Sunderland arrived, there was no more debate. I could have gone into exile in Saudi Arabia with the idea of a golden retirement but I still have things to do in football and when Yace (his advisor Yacine Ayad, editor’s note) called me to tell me Sunderland, it was as if I had blinkers on. “It’s a sporting choice and I’m really looking forward to starting this new adventure. 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. I also watched the three seasons of the documentary “Sunderland ‘Til I Die” . I know that it’s a club that can bring me a lot. I'm really looking forward to my medical to go to England with my wife and children and to discover this stadium, these fans and this magnificent atmosphere,” Despite such strong affirmations within that report from the player’s camp, the Sunderland Echo made it known on Friday that despite the interest in the centre-forward, a deal is not imminent and that the Black Cats hierarchy were ‘surprised by suggestions it is’. So far in the summer window, Sunderland have acted swiftly in the transfer market after signing an experienced duo consisting of midfielder Alan Browne and goalkeeper Simon Moore. Adding Mendy to these acquisitions would highlight that the club are actively searching for veteran targets as well as talented youngsters, as well as shelling out sufficient funds for a recognised centre-forward, some welcome changes to the much-debated recruitment model for many of those of a red-and-white persuasion. Snapping up Caen’s player of the year, and the French second tier’s top goalscorer from last season, would further fuel the sense of growing renewed optimism at Sunderland amid their pre-season efforts in preparation for the upcoming Championship campaign.
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Post by Les on Jul 20, 2024 19:37:20 GMT
If this turns out to be bollocks I will move to the rumours thread.
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Post by Les on Jul 23, 2024 9:10:09 GMT
EchoAlexandre MendyFrench club Caen have reportedly turned down a bid from Sunderland for striker Alexandre Mendy last week - however, the player is thought to have chosen the Black Cats. The forward player had interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia but reports from France recently suggested he had rebuffed their interest in favour of a move to the North East of England. Mendy has been following an individual training programme at Caen, while his teammates are away on a pre-season trip in Switzerland, as he’s expected to leave Stade Malherbe. The French club aren’t willing to sell on the cheap, though, with two years left on the 30-year-old’s contract. Mendy scored 22 goals in 37 league appearances for Caen in Ligue 2, and netted 19 goals in the same division during the previous campaign. The striker joined Caen from Bordeaux in 2020 and has played in France his whole career after coming through the ranks at Nice. Daniel JebbisonSunderland and Leeds United are believed to be keen on Bournemouth striker Daniel Jebbison. The former Sheffield United man only joined The Cherries this summer after his time at Bramall Lane came to an end. However, the attacker is expected to head out on loan again during the current transfer window. Sunderland holds a historic interest in Jebbison, having tried to sign the player whilst still a League One club before his eventual loan move to Burton Albion.
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Post by Les on Jul 23, 2024 9:14:48 GMT
linkSunderland Set To Win Tight Battle For £840K AttackerSunderland are looking to sign a centre-forward this summer and have been eyeing up an experienced frontman in the second tier of France, according to reports. One area that the Black Cats struggled the most last season was in the final third. Former Leeds United attacker Jack Clarke ended the campaign as the club’s top goalscorer after bagging 15 goals and recording four assists in all competitions. The Englishman was directly responsible for 38.8% of his side’s goals last term as the club finished just seven points above the relegation zone. Nevertheless, after the Wearside outfit’s struggles in 2023/24, there is a possibility that Clarke will leave the Stadium of Light this summer. Clubs in the Premier League, including newly-promoted side Southampton, have been linked with the 23-year-old in recent weeks. Furthermore, Nazariy Rusyn was the highest-scoring striker at Sunderland in the previous campaign but he found the net just twice. Clarke took a large brunt of the goalscoring burden on his shoulders last season which won’t be easily replicable should he walk away before the end of August. As a result, the Black Cats have been working behind the scenes to sign a much-needed striker which is a key priority for the board in this transfer market. One player who looks to be on his way to the Northeast of England is SM Caen centre-forward Alexandre Mendy. It was revealed over the weekend by French outlet Foot Mercato that Mendy has agreed to move to Sunderland but a number of clubs abroad have also been interested in acquiring the 30-year-old’s services, including Al-Riyadh and Sampdoria, while Egyptian outfit Al-Ahly submitted a bid worth £840,000 to his current side. Mendy himself recently commented on the deal, by admitting that the Stadium of Light was his next destination and that he would fly over for his medical in due course. Speaking in an interview with Football League World, French football expert Luke Entwistle compared Mendy to former Sunderland star Jermaine Defoe, which may be music to the ears of many supporters. “He’s maybe your Jermain Defoe type. He’s played for numerous clubs. He’s got a decent record wherever he’s gone. He keeps moving around, but he got 22 goals last season. Ligue 2 is a difficult league to score goals in, so to get 22 goals in Ligue 2 is a significant amount.” Writer’s ViewMendy is a player who has blossomed out of the blue. Throughout his professional playing career so far, the Guinea-Bissau international scored 101 goals in 291 appearances in all competitions at club level, but 60 of these have come over the past three seasons. He has been a prolific centre-forward in the second tier of France in recent years and perhaps Sunderland feel as though his style of play would translate well to the Championship, particularly given the similarities in physicality between English and French football. Furthermore, Regis Le Bris will be his manager, someone he would know from his time in France, which may be a driving force behind this deal.
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Post by macmackem on Jul 23, 2024 14:58:45 GMT
£840k............a tight fight..............feckin joke
If he's that good, pay the money and get the deal done FFS
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Post by macmackem on Jul 26, 2024 12:28:28 GMT
Supposedly they want 5 million Euros
No chance, time to look elsewhere for a cheap option 🙄😏
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Post by Les on Aug 2, 2024 10:48:53 GMT
linkSunderland set to sign Blondy Nna NoukeuSunderland are set to finally announce former Stoke City goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu, despite recent delays to the arrival of the Cameroonian. When quizzed about the future of the goalkeeper on X, Michael Graham gave confirmation that he was set to sign for Sunderland. The 22-year-old has been on trial with the Black Cats and has joined up with the pre-season squad, with it highly likely that Nna Noukeu will join Sunderland as their 4th signing ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season. The shot-stopper was released by the Potters this summer after five years at the club, with him enduring loan spells at Crawley Town and Southend United during his tenure. Nna Noukeu was unable to tally a single senior appearance for Stoke City, with him being utilised in the U21 side before his release. Sunderland’s goalkeeper union will be one for the futureOn first glance, it may seem a slightly uninspiring arrival for Sunderland, and something that will have a very insignificant impact in the short-term. However, the Black Cats are very quietly going about in bolstering their goalkeeping options for the future. Not only are they looking to help Patterson reach his full potential with the arrival of Moore, but the younger ranks are being nurtured to be in line and in shape to take over at this level if Patterson was to move on in the future. Notably, the likes of Matty Young getting the opportunity to play in League Two for Salford will be crucial for his development, especially at the young age of 17. With Young reaching these levels at such a young age, as well as the potential that Nna Noukeu could reach, Sunderland could easily have a solid goalkeeping pairing that will be able to perform at Championship standard in a year or two.
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Post by Les on Aug 3, 2024 10:15:25 GMT
linkLatest Ike Ugbo update could spell Sunderland uncertainty in £2.5m striker pursuitSunderland are now working on a deal to sign Ike Ugbo from French second tier side Troyes, it has been reported recently. Kristjaan Speakman has been linked alongside several strikers already this summer, with Sunderland working on a deal to sign Alexandre Mendy from Caen following his 22-goal haul in Ligue 2 last season. But a deal for Mendy appears to have some difficulties, and the Black Cats now appear to have turned their attentions elsewhere in the transfer market. On Friday, it was revealed that Sunderland are now in race to sign Ike Ugbo from French second tier side Troyes, who were recently reinstated to Ligue 2 following Bordeaux’s demotion to the third tier following bankruptcy. Ugbo, 25, spent time on loan with both Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday last season, though it was with the latter where he shone. Canadian international Ugbo scored seven goals in 18 Championship outings for the Owls, playing a key role in their great escape under manager Danny Rohl. Sunderland handed potentially worrying update in pursuit of Ike UgboSheffield Wednesday are desperate to re-sign Ugbo this summer, and it’s claimed that the Owls have agreed a £2.5million fee for his signature. But Troyes are unhappy with the structure of said deal and that has allowed Sunderland to move into the race, and possible ahead of Wednesday. Journalist Alex Miller has now shed some light on Sheffield Wednesday’s feelings behind the scenes with regards to Ugbo. He’s revealed that Hillsborough officials still feel confident that they get a deal over the line for Ugbo, with Ugbo previously reported to be open to returning to Sheffield Wednesday this summer. Sunderland facing potential Ike Ugbo frustration this summerSunderland fans and indeed Regis Le Bris will have been hoping to see their side bring in a new striker by now. Once again, Speakman is leaving it late, and the chances of a panic buy later in the window appear to be growing. Ugbo though is an interesting link; he’s a striker who shone in the Championship last season, playing in an aggressive and front-foot Wednesday side. £2.5million is a sizeable fee for a Championship club and so Sunderland must be sure about Ugbo’s ability. It could be down to whether or not Troyes let Ugbo have any say in the matter; expect Wednesday to do all they can in this pursuit and change the structure of their deal. If they do so, and Wednesday and Sunderland have similar deals on the table, then it could come down to preference, which could mean Ugbo returning to Hillsborough and Sunderland missing out.
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Post by macmackem on Aug 3, 2024 11:05:04 GMT
Sheffield Wednesday it is then, they will spend the money and get him while Speakman scratches his tadger
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Post by Gordon Armstrong on Aug 3, 2024 11:27:54 GMT
Unless we spend £1.8m and sign him instead of 'Wednesday  |
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Post by macmackem on Aug 3, 2024 12:34:52 GMT
Unless we spend £1.8m and sign him instead of 'Wednesday Wednesday have offered £2.5 million supposedly, how is 1.8 going to get him 🤔 Plus we won't want to spend that sort of money, they'll want to haggle for half the price, by then it will be too late, as normal 🙄😏 |
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Post by Gordon Armstrong on Aug 3, 2024 12:52:09 GMT
Okey dokey . . . . I can't argue with that 👍
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Post by macmackem on Aug 3, 2024 13:20:27 GMT
Okey dokey . . . . I can't argue with that 👍 You not going to game today mate Or are you still in the cells from last night 😀 |
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Post by Gordon Armstrong on Aug 3, 2024 14:20:12 GMT
I've just finished (for the day) painting (Cuprinol) my fences, and I'm now going to watch the match, Ray 👍
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