21/04/2025 05:11
Sunderland must ensure they keep hold of Eliezer Mayenda this summer with interest increasing in the Spanish forward.
Sunderland are set for a long summer window with many of their young squad attracting interest. After such a stellar year from SAFC, it is no surprise that clubs are circling to sign their stars.
All of the talk going into this summer is around the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg. The pair are being linked with some of Europe’s elite with huge fees being quoted, however, with Bellingham in particular, there is a sense of inevitability around their departures.
With that in mind, there is another one of their stars that they must keep hold of, their breakout star of this season. That man is Eliezer Mayenda.
The Spaniard was signed in the summer of 2023 but struggled in his first season. He was sent to Hibernian last January and made just four appearances, with many Sunderland fans writing him off.
This season, he has been given new lease of life by Regis Le Bris. In 35 Championship outings, he has scored eight goals and provided five assists at just 19 years old, including a stunning solo effort he scored away at Bristol City on Good Friday.
Mayenda is a credit to the club’s current recruitment model. If he continues to develop like he has this season, he will be a top talent.
Spain call-up will have turned heads
Mayenda received his first Spain U21 call-up earlier in 2025, a country blessed with young talent. He was part of a squad which had Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen in before he moved to the senior squad.
After he featured in both games during that period, Mayenda has impressed his nation. While the call-up is a credit to Mayenda, no doubt SAFC will be wary that bigger clubs will begin to take notice.
It was revealed back in March that sides were already interested in a summer move for Mayenda. That interest will have no doubt increased after that call-up and has excellent form since.
Sunderland’s position
When Mayenda joined Sunderland, he signed a long-term deal until the summer of 2028. That deal still exists, so SAFC are not under much pressure to sell the talented forward.
Mayenda has formed a strong bond with supporters, which will no doubt worrk in the club’s favour. Another huge stumbling block for interested sides would be the 25% sell-on clause that Sunderland would owe to Sochaux.
Overall, SAFC are in a good place with Mayenda, it would take a huge offer you would think to prize him away from Wearside. If he scores any more goals like the one at Bristol City though, you cannot rule out big sides coming in.
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The post Sunderland must keep this young star this summer, and it’s not Rigg or Bellingham: Opinion appeared first on The72 - Football League News.
