Caen striker Alexandre Mendy has revealed he’s still struggling to fully move on from the failed transfer to Sunderland over the summer, admitting the emotional toll it has taken.
Mendy, who was close to joining the North East club, shared his frustrations following Caen’s decision to block the move, despite his clear desire to leave. Speaking to France Bleu, he opened up about the lasting impact of the failed switch: “No, I’ve not recovered 100 per cent, there are still a few after-effects… having packed my bags, having thought about going elsewhere, all those things.” The striker had been preparing to make the journey to Sunderland for a medical, only for the deal to collapse as Caen held out for a significantly higher transfer fee.
Sunderland were keen to sign the 30-year-old forward, reportedly submitting an initial bid of £840,000. However, Caen, who had recently undergone changes in ownership and leadership, rejected the offer, valuing Mendy closer to £4.2 million. Despite the breakdown in negotiations, Mendy has remained a vital player for Caen, but it’s clear the missed opportunity still weighs heavily on him. “That will go away with time,” Mendy reflected, “but today I feel good on the pitch. The furniture has gone up, but the boxes haven’t been unpacked yet.”
Caen’s decision to block Mendy’s move was heavily influenced by their own aspirations. Following a season where they narrowly missed a Ligue 1 play-off spot by just one point, the club’s new owners were reluctant to lose their star striker. With the goal of promotion in mind, they decided to retain Mendy, despite earlier indications that he could leave if the right offer was made. This turn of events left Sunderland frustrated and forced to turn their attention elsewhere.
Despite the off-field issues, Mendy has continued to deliver on the pitch. With 65 goals in 142 appearances for Caen, he remains a key figure in their campaign to return to the French top flight. While his disappointment over the failed move persists, Mendy has vowed to remain focused on his current team. “We’re concentrating on the football, and when there’s the next break, we’ll unpack everything,” he said, hinting that it will take time to fully move past the summer’s events.
For Sunderland, the collapse of the Mendy deal was a setback, but they have since shifted their focus to other targets. However, the saga surrounding Mendy’s future remains a talking point, and it’s possible that the Black Cats could revisit the deal in future transfer windows, particularly if Caen struggles to achieve their promotion ambitions. As it stands, both clubs have moved on, but the door may not be completely closed on a future transfer.
Mendy, a seasoned striker with stints at clubs such as Nice, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, has proven his quality in French football with 98 goals in 286 appearances across all competitions. For Caen, keeping hold of him may be crucial in their promotion bid, but for Mendy, the unfulfilled Sunderland move represents a major career step that just slipped through his grasp.
Our View
Alexandre Mendy’s reflections on the failed Sunderland transfer show just how emotionally taxing the situation was for him. His metaphor of “unpacking boxes” speaks volumes about how unsettled he remains. It’s easy to forget that, beyond the business of football, transfers deeply affect the lives and families of players. For Mendy, the excitement of a move to England, only for it to be blocked at the last minute, is something that clearly still plays on his mind.
From Sunderland’s perspective, the collapse of the deal was a missed opportunity. Mendy’s experience and proven goal-scoring ability would have provided a significant boost to their squad, especially in a competitive Championship season. However, with Caen holding firm on their valuation, the financial gap between the two clubs was too wide. Whether Sunderland will revisit Mendy as a transfer target in the future remains to be seen, but both player and club seem to have moved on for now.
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