SUNDERLAND will step up their summer transfer efforts after club bosses met face-to-face in Spain, and while a striker remains the leading priority the Black Cats continue to assess their targets and options.

Sunderland ticked one priority box when they strengthened their midfield with the capture of Alan Browne, with the focus now firmly on the forward line.

Alexandre Mendy is a target and Black Cats bosses have held talks with the Caen striker but reports in France in recent days claiming a deal has been done came as a surprise to Sunderland chiefs.

Mendy's reported preference to join Sunderland rather than head to Saudi is undoubtedly positive but the Black Cats are still understood to be weighing up their options, with a deal not thought to be imminent as things stand. Mendy, 30, scored 22 goals in 37 appearances in the French second tier last term.

Sunderland's bosses joined the players out in Spain last week, with chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus having held face-to-face talks with his brother Maurice, who has a seat on the board, Juan Sartori and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman on Friday.

Sunderland will be patient in their pursuit of targets but strengthening up-front is a priority as the Black Cats look to avoid a repeat of last season's striker struggles.

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Mason Burstow returned to Chelsea after his underwhelming loan spell, leaving new boss Regis Le Bris with Nazariy Rusyn, Hemir and Eliezer Mayenda - who scored just two league goals between them last season - as his striker options.

Mayenda has enjoyed an encouraging start to pre-season but only turned 19 earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, Sunderland are expected to offer a deal to goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu, who has been on trial this summer and has been part of the squad in Spain.

The 22-year-old was released by Stoke City at the end of last season and his arrival would help to swell the goalkeeper ranks after highly-rated teenager Matty Young joined Salford on loan last week.