KYLIAN MBAPPE and his family have thrown a huge grenade in Sunderland’s transfer plans.
The Black Cats looked to have wrapped up a deal to sign French-born Guinea-Bissau international Alexandre Mendy, 30, from French second tier outfit Caen.
The Championship side had beaten off competition from Sampdoria in Italy and in the Middle East for the man who scored 22 goals in Ligue 2 last season.
Mendy himself even revealed: “By the time Sunderland arrived, there was no more debate.
“I could have gone into exile in Saudi Arabia with the idea of a golden retirement, but I still have things to do in football.”
Mendy, whose cousin Bafetimbi Gomis previously played for Swansea City, was believed to be set to attend a medical on Wearside after a £4million fee was accepted.
But France captain Mbappe, who has just penned a £12.8m per year deal with Real Madrid that netted him a whopping £106.5m signing-on bonus, and his family are currently embroiled in a potential takeover of Caen.
They now want to meet with the club’s star man in order to try and convince him to stay under their helm.
And that could prove to be a massive blow to new manager Regis Le Bris, who knows the forward well from his time managing Lorient.
Sunderland have been desperate for a new No.9 for months.
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They have managed to add Luis Hemir, 20, from Benfica to their ranks but they still need an experienced frontman.
Now they may have to restart their search should Mendy be swayed by the Mbappe influence if the takeover goes through.
