Leicester City, Norwich City or Sheffield United should swoop for Sunderland AFC outcast | OneFootball

Eliezer Mayenda has barely featured for Sunderland in the Premier League this season and could be on the move this January

Having scored the crucial equalising goal in Sunderland's play-off final victory over Sheffield United in May 2025, Eliezer Mayendahas seen his game time drastically decrease following the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League, and may be on the move this January.

Spanish forward Mayenda featured prominently for Sunderland in the Championship last season, making 40 appearances in the league and play-offs for the Black Cats, scoring ten and grabbing five assists as the club was promoted.

Regis Le Bris has taken the club to the next level this season, defying expectations upon their return to the top flight following relegation in 2017, with victories over the likes of Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and bitter rivals Newcastle United, meaning they are far from relegation candidates.

Though having netted the opener in Sunderland's 3-0 home win over West Ham in August, the 20-year-old has made just seven league appearances since, with only two of those coming as starts, failing to score since the season opener.

Both Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey have been preferred by Le Bris up top, leaving Mayenda out in the cold.

The Spaniard did sign a new long-term contract with the club until 2030 during the summer, meaning any permanent deal away from The Stadium of Light is highly unlikely, but with his lack of game time evident, a loan move could well be sanctioned ahead of the winter window, as numerous clubs in the Championship should be on red-hot alert.

Leicester City's financial problems are well known at this stage, with an impending points deduction on the horizon for the Foxes, the club have been forced to work under constraints in the market.

Asmir Begovic was the only permanent arrival at The King Power Stadium this summer, with Julian Carranza, Jordan James, and Aaron Ramsey all arriving at the club on loan.

Indeed, Carranza's move from Feyenoord has yet to go to plan, with the Argentine having failed to net in any of his nine league appearances so far, with Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka more often than not the preferred options up top.

With Daka away with Zambia for AFCON and Ayew the only other option, a loan move for Mayenda would inject youth, power, and pace into the attack, and stay within their transfer constraints, giving head coach Marti Cifuentes another option up top.

Norwich City

Norwich City's season has gone far from plan, with former Monaco and Rangers boss Philippe Clement taking the reins at Carrow Road following the dismissal of Liam Manning.

Josh Sargent, the club's star man and USMNT striker, netted five goals in the opening four Championship games this season, but has scored just once in his last 16, and has been the recent subject of interest from the likes of West Ham, Leeds United and Burnley.

The American had been close to an exit in the summer to German side VFL Wolfsburg, but Sargent turned down the move, leaving Norwich with just him and former Lincoln City attacker Jovon Makama as the only recognised centre-forwards at the club.

Should interest resurface for Sargent, who missed the Canaries' most recent 2-1 home win to Southampton through a concussion precaution, Norwich will almost certainly be in desperate need of reinforcements up top, and a loan move for Mayenda could prove to be a cheap and smart option for Clement.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United have ample attacking options, possessing the likes of Louie Barry, Danny Ings, Patrick Bamford, Tyrese Campbell, and Tom Cannon, each of whom can play up top.

Though Barry's loan looks like it will be cut short, Bamford is only confirmed to be at Bramall Lane until January, having signed on a short-term contract, whilst Ings, Campbell, and Cannon have all misfired more often than not so far this season.

Wilder, who was incidentally dismissed following the Blades' Wembley defeat to Sunderland, was not afforded a transfer window with the club this summer, having replaced Ruben Selles after the Spaniard lost all six games in charge of the club.

Wilder's decision to sign Bamford was a clear indicator of his displeasure with the options he has in attack, and ahead of the January window, it would not be surprising to see him delve into the market for another forward option to help rescue the club's disappointing start to the season.

Whether Mayenda will be an option for Sheffield United remains to be seen, but what better way to apologise to the Blades for his goal in the play-off final than to join them this January and help to fire them back up the table.