Sunderland seem to have no end of players attracting Premier League interest. Now, there’s a new Black Cats star that the English top flight are making checks on.
Sunderland certainly did well to get through the January transfer window without any player exits, and really without any concrete interest arriving for their in-demand players.
It’s clear that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and co set a high asking price for their players and stood by that. But the upcoming summer transfer window could see a big of an exodus at the Stadium of Light if the club fails to earn promotion.
Regis Le Bris’ side got a much-needed win last time out, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 away from home courtesy of an Eliezer Mayenda double, which leaves the Black Cats in 4th place of the Championship table.
Le Bris made five changes to his Sunderland XI that game. Mayenda stepped in for top scorer Wilson Isidor and put in a very good performance; so much so that he’s now attracted interest from the Premier League.
Premier League interest revealed in Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda
The 19-year-old Spaniard has enjoyed a bit of a breakthrough season this time round. Mayenda has now scored six goals and assisted five more in 27 Championship appearances this season, with four of his goals this season coming against Sheffield Wednesday.
Now, an emerging report from Spanish outlet Hoy Aragon has revealed that Mayenda’s stats this season ‘have sparked the interest of several big Premier League clubs, who are already closely following his development’, albeit without naming any specific team interested.
Mayenda joined Sunderland from French outfit Sochaux in 2023, signing a five-year contract at the time meaning he’s under contract on Wearside until the summer of 2028.
Carlton Palmer backs Eliezer Mayenda for ‘big future’ at Sunderland
Former England man Carlton Palmer has backed Mayenda to keep on his current trajectory and eventually have a big future with the Black Cats.
He said: “He could have a big, big future at Sunderland and in the game. He looks to be a very good and grounded player.”
Against Cardiff City on Saturday, Le Bris now has a bit of a dilemma on his hands with two very good strikers in Isidor and Mayenda to pick from, but with a one-striker formation looking like his favoured set up at the moment.
Expect both players to feature in some capacity. Another win for the Black Cats here would keep them in the mix for top two although a play-off finish is starting to look like the likeliest outcome for Sunderland this season.
Kick-off against Cardiff will be at 3 p.m. at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.