The Ligue 2 striker was on Sunderland’s radar last summer, but will now join Montpellier on a three-year contract.
Alexandre Mendy, the big attacker who was on Sunderland’s shortlist last summer, has joined Montpellier, a year after a potential move to Wearside fell through in the last days of the transfer window.
Mendy, 31, was a priority target for the Black Cats in the summer following a spectacular run at Caen, when he became the club’s all-time leading scorer. Sunderland expressed significant interest in the Guinea-Bissau international as they sought a clinical frontman to lead their Championship promotion campaign. However, a deal was never completed and eventually fell through late in the window.
Mendy confirmed at the time that the transfer breakdown had an impact. “Are you 100% recovered?” “No, despite everything, there are some consequences,” he told French media. “After-effects of what happened in the past, and also everything tied to my family and the packed boxes from this summer.”
He joked about the unsuccessful move to Sunderland, saying, “The furniture has been reassembled, but the boxes have yet to be unpacked.” There are many boxes to look through, but for the time being, we’re concentrated on football. “When there is a break, we will unpack everything.”
Sunderland soon altered their forward focus and recruited Wilson Isidor, but Mendy continued to impress in Ligue 2. He concluded the 2024-25 season with ten goals in the French second tier before making the move.
The seasoned striker has now signed a three-year contract with Montpellier following a satisfactory physical. The deal brings the Toulon-born forward back to the south of France, where he hopes to help the club return to the top flight. Mendy presently has 130 career goals across all club competitions.
Who did Sunderland sign this season?
The Black Cats have spent handsomely to overhaul Régis Le Bris’ team, bringing in playmaker Enzo Le Fée from Roma for roughly £20 million and versatile defensive midfielder Noah Sadiki from Union SG for a cost that could climb to £19.5 million with add-ons.
They also moved quickly to sign Habib Diarra from Strasbourg in a club-record deal for up to £30 million, and 20-year-old wonderkid Chemsedine Talbi from Club Brugge for a comparable fee of £19.5 million.
Along with Adingra, whose move from Brighton might be worth £20.5 million, Sunderland have signed Champions League and La Liga veteran Reinildo on a free transfer after his release from Atlético Madrid.
Sunderland’s total transfer outlay this summer has exceeded £109 million, and that doesn’t include wages, agent fees, or signing-on bonuses.
It’s a big statement of intent from a club that wants to compete at the highest level. ‘We want…’ – Florent Ghisolfi lifts the veil on Sunderland’s £100 million transfer spree and Premier League ambition.
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