Scouts working on behalf of some of European football’s biggest institutions have become accustomed to the sights and sounds of Sunderland in recent times.
After all, Regis Le Bris consistently fielded the youngest average XI in England’s second tier during the 2024/25 season.
Chris Rigg became the youngest player ever to start a Championship play-off final at the age of just 17. Jobe Bellingham could follow in Jude’s Borussia Dortmund footsteps. Teenager Tommy Watson became a Sunderland ‘legend’ when his 95th minute winner zipped agonisingly out of Michael Cooper’s reach in the Sheffield United goal.
And the man who laid the foundations for Watson’s stoppage time heroics – Eliezer Mayenda cancelled out Tyrese Campbell’s Wembley opener with a rocket of a finish completely out of the blue – also now has his fair share of suitors across the continent.
No wonder the Stadium of Light has become the destination of choice for clubs on the lookout for the game’s next rising stars.
Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda targeted by ‘the biggest European clubs’
Eliezer Mayenda chose Sunderland over Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Lyon when swapping Sochaux for Wearside back in 2023.
Two years on, as the Spain Under-21 international adds a much-needed ruthless streak to his extensive array of other attributes, it might not be long before Mayenda has offers piling up again from A and B-list clubs on the other side of the Channel and beyond.
According to French publication Foot Mercato, the Zaragoza-born 20-year-old is on the radar of ‘the biggest European clubs’. They do not say which ones, though it would come as little surprise to learn that he remains on the radars of Lyon and Marseille respectively.
Marseille signed Jonathan Rowe from Norwich City a year ago, after all. Roberto de Zerbi’s side are clearly taking an interest in the brightest young talent outside of the Premier League.
Though, should Mayenda stay at Sunderland, the Premier League is where he will be plying his trade next term.
Mayenda ‘very happy’ as Wembley heroics sets up Premier League chance
Mayenda ended the season with ten goals, including that thumping equaliser in Saturday’s play-off final. Seven of those ten have come since the turn of the year as well, Regis Le Bris succeeding in turning Mayenda into a forward capable of taking chances and not merely creating them with his trademark swashbuckling runs.
“It was a really good time to score, especially in that moment of the game,” Mayenda beamed, Le Bris’ decision to start him ahead of star striker Wilson Isidor working wonders at Wembley.
“In the second half we were more confident with the ball. This goal was like a recompense about how we played in the second half so, yeah, it was good.
“After the [equalising] goal, we said on the pitch; ‘Lads we have to keep pushing again. We can win the game.’ After that we did it. Tommy was incredible. He was incredible in the second half.
“I’m very happy. It’s good for the team, for the club, for everybody, for the fans. Yeah, I’m happy, very happy. Very happy not just for me but for the fans again as well so I’m just very happy to get promotion.”
Sunderland signed Mayenda for a fee in the region of £850,000. Just two years later, both his price tag and his reputation have sky-rocketed.
Provided he stays at the Stadium of Light beyond the summer, it is tempting to wonder just how much Mayenda may be worth with a full season of Premier League football under his belt.
