AliousSunderland’s future looks incredibly promising, with a wealth of young talent emerging at the Stadium of Light. The likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg have garnered most of the attention this season, featuring regularly in Regis Le Bris’ midfield. However, the club’s pool of exciting prospects extends beyond just those two.
Tommy Watson is the latest academy graduate to break into the first team, while fans were delighted to see 21-year-old Romaine Mundle return to the starting lineup in the recent victory over Sheffield Wednesday after a three-month injury layoff. Even Sunderland’s captain, Dan Neil, is only 23, reinforcing the club’s commitment to youth.
Since returning to the Championship in 2022, Sunderland has consistently boasted the division’s youngest squad, with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus spearheading a strategy focused on recruiting and developing young talent. Now, the club is beginning to see the benefits of this approach.
One player who has largely gone unnoticed amid Sunderland’s youth revolution is Eliezer Mayenda. However, after scoring twice in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday—his second brace of the season—he may soon find himself the subject of intense transfer speculation, alongside Bellingham and Rigg.
### **Eliezer Mayenda’s Performances Attract Premier League Interest**
Mayenda has enjoyed an impressive breakout campaign in senior football. Although he made only eight Championship appearances in his first season at Sunderland, he has taken on a far bigger role under Le Bris.
His two-goal display against Sheffield Wednesday mirrored his first brace earlier in the season—also against Wednesday in August—bringing his total to six goals and five assists in 16 starts. These contributions have not gone unnoticed, with reports from Spanish outlet *Hoy Aragon* suggesting that multiple Premier League and European clubs are now keeping a close eye on him.
While the specific teams interested in Mayenda remain unknown, the increasing attention could unsettle Sunderland, especially considering they signed him for just over €1 million in 2023. Given his rapid development, the question isn’t whether Sunderland will profit from his sale—it’s when.
### **Holding Onto Mayenda Could Become a Bigger Priority Than Expected**
At the start of the season, few would have predicted that Mayenda would be generating serious Premier League interest. But after demonstrating his potential throughout the campaign, Sunderland may have to act fast to ensure he remains at the club beyond the summer.
Much of the focus has been on retaining Bellingham and Rigg, who have both been linked with moves to top domestic and European clubs over the past year. While their futures are undoubtedly crucial for Sunderland’s long-term vision, the Black Cats must now also prioritize keeping hold of Mayenda as interest in him continues to grow.
Fortunately, the 19-year-old is under contract until 2028, meaning Sunderland is under no immediate pressure to sell. However, his current wage of just £6,500 per week—according to *Capology*—could leave the club vulnerable to bigger financial offers from top-flight sides. A new, improved deal may be necessary to ward off potential suitors and solidify his place in Sunderland’s long-term plans.
Mayenda may not yet be proven at Premier League level, but clubs will undoubtedly view him as a project player—just as Sunderland did when they brought him in at 18. If the club is serious about continuing its youth-driven strategy, ensuring Mayenda remains part of their journey will be just as important as holding onto their other rising stars.
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