Sunderland join Birmingham in battle to sign Golden Boot-winning 17-goal forward

Ambitious Birmingham City are keen on prolific Beveran forward Goduine Koyalipou but may face a battle with Championship duo Sunderland and Cardiff.

Despite their relegation from England’s second tier last term, this USA-backed Birmingham side have made a real splash in the transfer market.

Alfie May, the League One Golden Boot winner for 2023/24, has joined from Charlton Athletic.

Birmingham have also snapped up a host of talent capable of taking the third-tier by storm, including goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Eredivisie imports Emil Hansson and Willum Thor Willumsson, former Bundesliga defender Christoph Klarer, and the stylish Marc Leonard.

Goduine Koyalipou would certainly be another statement addition to Chris Davies’ title-favourites.

Contracted to Belgian second-tier outfit Beveren, Koyalipou scored 17 goals in 32 games last season. Like May, that was a Golden Boot-winning tally.

A former France youth star who now represents the Central African Republic at international level, Koyalipou can play out wide but lead the line to excellent effect last term.

Sunderland join Birmingham City in Goduine Koyalipou race

HITC understands that Sunderland and a Cardiff City side who have also made a few eye-catching acquisitions are in the race for the talented 24-year-old too.

Sunderland’s pursuit of a goalscorer is very well documented. The Black Cats are yet to replace Ross Stewart a year on from the Scot’s move to Southampton.

SM Caen hitman Alexandre Mendy – the top scorer in France’s Ligue 2 in 2023/24 – admitted that he is keen to move to the Stadium of Light but discussions have stalled following the takeover of the club by the Mbappe family.

“By the time Sunderland came along, there was no debate anymore,” Mendy told Foot Mercato recently, confirming his desire to cross the channel and don that red-and-white shirt.

“It’s a sporting choice. And I’m really looking forward to starting this new journey.”

Whether that journey ever begins, however, remains to be seen. A penny for Mendy’s thoughts as Sunderland now appear to be turn their attention to alternative striker targets.

Cardiff have also struggled for goals recently. They scored only one more than Sunderland’s 52 in the season just gone.

Erol Bulut’s side have added creativity out wide in Anwar El Ghazi and former Queens Park Rangers talisman Chris Willock. Koyalipou, meanwhile, could be the jewell in the crown of a new and very exciting frontline in South Wales.

HITC understands that there is also interest a forward who previously represented the Ineos-owned Lausanne Sport in Switzerland from clubs in France and the Middle East.

As things stand, Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia appear to be at the front of the queue though the lure of British football may appeal to Koyalipou.

Sunderland need to score more goals

New Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, speaking to The Chronicle back in July, confirmed that the Black Cats must find a more ruthless streak in the final third if they are to have any chance of pursuing a play-off berth in the coming campaign.

“Everyone could score goals. The responsibility is always on the striker, which is difficult. We know this position is always important for a team and obviously the club, the organisation, is aware of this problem,” the former FC Lorient boss explains.

“(Our search for a striker is) absolutely confidential, to be efficient at the end.

“We are working on a game model since the start of the season. If the ideas are clear and shared and understood by the players they can produce many things

“The first target is the style of play, in order to win. But we know we need some steps to achieve this goal, that mentality and willingness to improve.

“If the mindset is there, the first purpose, then that’s a start.”