Paris FC Enter Talks for Sunderland Forward Eliezer Mayenda
Ligue 1 side Paris FC have reportedly set their sights on Sunderland’s Eliezer Mayenda, with active negotiations currently underway between the two clubs. The young attacker is the latest name linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light as the winter transfer deadline approaches.
Following a massive summer recruitment drive that saw the Black Cats invest upwards of £160m into their squad, Mayenda has found himself on the periphery of the first team. Despite the significant turnover in talent, the Spaniard has struggled to secure a permanent spot in the starting eleven during Sunderland’s current Premier League campaign.
Squad Reshaping Under Le Bris
The Black Cats have already been active this window, securing the services of wide forward Jocelin Ta Bi from Israeli side Hapoel Petah Tikva. However, manager Regis Le Bris remains intent on bolstering his offensive options. With the transfer window set to close this coming Monday, the club is working frantically to finalize their attacking reinforcements.
According to insights from Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, Paris FC are “negotiating” to bring the 20-year-old to the French capital. While Mayenda is viewed as a prospect with high potential, he has struggled for consistency since his standout moment in the season opener—a clinical header against West Ham United that helped secure a 3-0 victory.
A Lack of Clinical Edge
Since that opening-day goal, Mayenda’s production has stalled. He has largely played a supporting role, falling behind Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor in Le Bris’s preferred pecking order. Although he has featured in 15 matches this season, the majority of those appearances have come as a late substitute. Interestingly, he was handed a start against West Ham this past weekend, featuring for 75 minutes before being swapped for Isidor.
Strategic Financial Backing
Paris FC’s pursuit is backed by significant financial power; the club boasts incredibly wealthy owners, with Red Bull notably holding a 10% stake. This financial muscle makes them a formidable player in the market as they look to conclude business before the deadline.
A departure could prove mutually beneficial for Sunderland’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman. The club is desperate for more “firepower” to remedy their scoring struggles. Currently, Sunderland ranks as the third lowest scorers in the Premier League with only 24 goals—outperforming only Nottingham Forest and Wolves in that department.
Mid-Table Stability
Despite their difficulties in front of goal, Sunderland currently occupies a respectable 11th place in the table. The club appears safe from the threat of relegation, a testament to the solid foundation laid by Le Bris during a successful first half of the season.
Having offset their summer spending with the high-profile sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, the club is now focused on trimming the fat. Mayenda is just one of several fringe players tipped for a winter exit, following in the footsteps of Dan Neil, who recently completed a move to Ipswich Town.
