Simon Adingra to return as AS Monaco decline option, FC Porto eye Eliezer Mayenda | OneFootball

Simon Adingra will return to Sunderland for pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 campaign after AS Monaco confirmed on Monday they would not trigger their purchase option.

Adingra joined Monaco on deadline day earlier this year, which cleared the way for Sunderland to sign Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht. He played regularly but faded after a bright start, and Monaco’s failure to reach the Champions League appears to have influenced the call. Had they activated the clause, Sunderland would have recouped a significant chunk of the initial £18 million paid to Brighton last summer.

Monaco recorded 17 appearances, three goals and two assists for Adingra, and also wished him well with Ivory Coast at the World Cup. Ivory Coast face Norway in the last 32 on Tuesday, six pm UK time.

His return leaves Régis Le Bris with four senior left wingers for pre-season, with Nilson Angulo and Chemsdine Talbi having been expected to play major roles last campaign. Romaine Mundle is expected to be fully fit for the start of pre-season after a hamstring injury, though, like Adingra, his future appears uncertain.

Sunderland must now decide whether to reintegrate Adingra or find him a new club for next season, either on loan or via a permanent exit.

FC Porto have registered interest in striker Eliezer Mayenda. Claims the Primeira Liga champions were close to a deal on Monday were quickly downplayed in Portugal, and several clubs remain in the race while the 21-year-old considers his long-term future.

Stade Rennais have a strong interest and have held initial talks. Mayenda is thought to prefer a permanent move to increase his game time, which is likely to be limited given Brian Brobbey’s form, and a sale could bring a major profit in cash and SCR terms after his sub-£1 million arrival in 2023.

Source: Sunderland Echo