Watford fans probably won’t be aware of this, but last summer Alexandre Mendy was the subject of a transfer saga involving Sunderland.
Mendy was striker at Ligue 2 side Caen and had been assured he could leave the club last summer. That saw Sunderland come in for the now 31-year-old, and the player even spoke about looking forward to travelling to England and getting his family settled. There was even talk of schools and houses, before Caen asked for more money than anyone had expected.
To add to the drama, Caen was then the subject of a takeover from Kylian Mbappe’s family, but they didn’t want Mendy going anywhere.
Towards the end of August the player [shared his frustration with the French media](https://sportwitness.co.uk/i-want-to-go-to-sunderland-player-makes-transfer-desire-public-black-cats-will-fight-until-last-moment/): “I_t’s clear to me and to everyone that I want to go to Sunderland, the new management must respect the commitments made by the institution to me. If I train today, it is to be ready to start this new challenge with Sunderland._
_“I repeat it, but I said goodbye to D’Ornano, my teammates. Kylian is the boss and so he calls me. The new management must understand that it is the man who is affected, and this is the worst thing._
_“I respected the club, the fans and today, after four years at the club, I want to leave having given the best of myself. I leave on the best note. Caen and the fans will always be in my heart, but my head is at Sunderland.”_
He didn’t get his move and Caen then fell to pieces generally. They finished bottom of Ligue 2 and will play in the Championnat National next season. Meanwhile, Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League.
Mendy must be bursting with frustration, and maybe Watford can benefit.
[L’Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Watford-fait-une-offre-a-caen-pour-alexandre-mendy/1575095) report the Championship club are trying to buy Mendy from Caen.
The French newspaper state Watford have been in talks with the player’s camp for several days and have made Caen a €1m offer to buy out the final year of Mendy’s contract.