Bochum Target Transfer Delayed by Mbappé: Sunderland’s Striker Search Takes an Odd Twist

It appears that Sunderland have widened their search for a striker and are looking at other options, whilst Alexandre Mendy’s potential transfer is bizzarely being held up by Kylian Mbappe of all people!

One name doing the rounds today is Bordeaux forward Zan Vipotnik. The 22-year-old scored 10 goals in all competitions last season and has supposedly attracted interest from a whole load of clubs, including Sunderland, Hajduk Split, FC Twente and VfL Bochum. Historic French club Bordeaux were declared bankrupt this week, meaning they have lost their professional status. However, the news also means that all contracts are to be terminated and their players are soon to become free agents. Understandably, Sunderland are rumoured to be keen to take advantage of this situation – getting a bargain and bolstering their options up front by swooping for the 6’1 Slovenian.

The Mbappe family are closing in on a takeover of Ligue 2 club Caens. As such, they reportedly want to speak to 30-year-old Alexandre Mendy before he leaves the French club – despite the striker making his exit intentions clear throughout this summer. Mendy, a Guinea-Bissau international, announced recently that he had ‘chosen’ Sunderland over Saudi and Italian suitors, but since then nothing has happened. Some news outlets have suggested he has been on Wearside for a medical, whilst conflicting reports have claimed that the two clubs are yet to agree on a fee for the number nine.