Offer submitted for wanted striker and midfielder

Welcome to the latest Last Word on Football article from Sunderland, Tuesday 16th July. Today, Black Cats fans desperate for a goalscorer this summer will be delighted to hear that a bid has been submitted for an experienced striker, according to reports.

There is also the latest news on Dan Ballard’s injury and his link to French club RC Lens. Additionally, Serie A side Udinese have contacted Sunderland regarding Pierre Ekwah.

The club also announced that it would play a friendly match against former Champions League winners Olympique Marseille.

Read more: How Sunderland’s former foreign managers have fared

Sunderland: Offer submitted for experienced striker

Offer submitted for French striker

According to the Foot Mercato website and the Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats have submitted an offer for Caen striker Alexandre Mendy. The 30-year-old scored 22 goals last season as Caen narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Saudi club Al-Riyadh SC are also interested in the striker who wants his future settled as soon as possible. Before Caen’s final game of the season, he said: “I’m focusing on the last game first, but after that, it’s certain that if I had to leave, I would like to be in good conditions right away and arrive early enough to prepare my family and adapt to the new environment that is offered to me.”

Pierre Ekwah wanted by Serie A clubs

Serie A side Udinese are keen to sign midfielder Pierre Ekwah, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 22-year-old, who joined from Sunderland in January 2023, is reportedly high on Udinese’s transfer list.

Ekwah still has three years left on his current deal and Sunderland are under no pressure to sell and are in a strong negotiating position. His former club, West Ham United, are entitled to a sell-on fee, so any asking price will reflect that.

Olympique Marseille Friendly

Sunderland have announced that they will face Olympique Marseille in their final pre-season game. Due to ongoing renovations at the Stadium of Light, the match will be played at Bradford City’s Valley Parade on Saturday 3 August.

The game will be dedicated to Robert Louis-Dreyfus who was a major shareholder of Marseille from 1996 to 2009. He is also the father of Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

Sunderland round-up: Dan Ballard injured and attracting interest

Defender Dan Ballard is out for up to six weeks. The 24-year-old suffered a minor knee injury in Saturday’s friendly at South Shields and is expected to miss the start of the new season.

According to the Sunderland Echo, RC Lens, managed by Will Still, who came close to becoming Sunderland’s new head coach earlier this summer, have reportedly made Ballard their top transfer target.

Ballard, valued at £20million, has three years remaining on his current contract.