Caen striker Alexandre Mendy has admitted he’s still feeling the effects of his failed transfer to Sunderland last summer, following a dramatic and drawn-out saga that saw the move collapse despite strong interest from the Wearsiders.
Sunderland made multiple bids for the 30-year-old striker, but Caen ultimately blocked the move, despite Mendy and his agent expressing a clear desire to head to the North East. Reflecting on the disappointment, Mendy told France Bleu, “No, I’ve not recovered 100 per cent, there are still a few after-effects… having packed my bags, having thought about going elsewhere.” Although the deal didn’t materialise, Mendy is now trying to focus on his football, adding that “the furniture has gone up, but the boxes haven’t been unpacked yet.”
Originally, Sunderland offered £840,000 for the Guinea-Bissau international, but Caen held out for a significantly higher fee, reportedly around £4.2 million. This stand-off ultimately scuppered the deal, with Mendy even claiming he was en route for a medical at the Stadium of Light when negotiations broke down.
Caen, who narrowly missed out on the Ligue 1 play-offs last season, were also undergoing a change in ownership at the time, which may have contributed to their reluctance to sell their top scorer. Their reluctance to sell Mendy hasn’t quite worked out how they might have imagined – they’re currently 15th in Ligue 2 and Mendy has scored just once.
Who Is Alexandre Mendy?
Alexandre Mendy began his professional football career at OGC Nice, where he made his debut in the 2015-2016 Ligue 1 season. After an initial loan spell with Strasbourg, he further developed with Nîmes in Ligue 2. His strong performances caught the eye of Ligue 1 clubs, leading to a transfer to Guingamp in 2016. Mendy continued his career progression with a move to Bordeaux in 2017, although a loan back to Guingamp soon followed.
Mendy joined Caen in 2020, where he has enjoyed a resurgence in form. In the 2021-22 season, he scored 16 goals in 32 appearances, reaffirming his potential as a prolific striker. His following season with Caen saw him score 19 goals in Ligue 2, cementing his reputation as a key figure in the team’s attack.
Internationally, Mendy represents Guinea-Bissau, making his debut in 2020 during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Writer’s View
The collapse of Alexandre Mendy’s move to Sunderland clearly left a mark on the player, and his comments reflect the emotional toll a transfer saga can take. It’s one thing for fans to see deals fall through, but for a player who has mentally and physically prepared for a move, it can be hard to shift focus back to their current club. Mendy’s analogy of “the boxes not being unpacked” speaks volumes about how unsettled he’s felt since the summer. While he’s trying to push forward with his performances on the pitch, the lingering disappointment of not making the jump to Wearside seems to still be weighing on him.
From Sunderland’s perspective, this deal looked promising at the time—Mendy’s scoring record and experience could have provided a solid boost to their attacking options. However, the financial gap between their bid and Caen’s valuation proved insurmountable. While Caen were clearly eager to hold onto Mendy for their promotion push, it’s fair to wonder if they missed an opportunity to cash in on a player now 30 years old. For now, it looks like both parties will have to move on, but Sunderland fans may well be left wondering what might have been.
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