Sunderland’s €18m Star Tipped For Summer Exit After Agent’s Hint: Will It Hurt The Black Cats? | OneFootball

Eliezer Mayenda looks increasingly likely to leave Sunderland when the transfer window opens, according to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato. The 21-year-old striker, who arrived at the Stadium of Light from FC Sochaux in July 2023 for around €1m, became a cult figure during the Black Cats’ promotion campaign, scoring 10 goals and five assists across 41 Championship matches. His winner in the playoff final against Sheffield United at Wembley remains one of the most celebrated moments in Sunderland’s recent history.

Sunderland exit appears imminent for Spain starlet

His future came under scrutiny after his agent, Alfonso Stellitano, posted on social media from the Stadium of Light with the caption “The Last Dance,” tagging Sunderland, Mayenda, and the Premier League. Foot Mercato followed that with a report stating Mayenda is “expected to leave” the club this summer, adding that several ambitious European clubs are monitoring his situation, with his performances and career path having “caught the eye” following a season in which Sunderland secured historic Europa League qualification.

The report stops short of naming specific suitors but brands him one of the most sought-after young forwards available. During the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, Mayenda made 23 appearances, scoring twice, a modest return compared to his Championship form.

Manager Régis Le Bris handed him limited minutes in the second half of the season. Transfermarkt currently values him at around €16.3m, though earlier estimates placed his worth closer to €18m. Sunderland originally paid just €800k and stand to earn considerable profit from any sale.

Sunderland’s rebuild faces a real test this window

BURSLEM, ENGLAND – MARCH 08: Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland is challenged by Kyle John of Port Vale during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Port Vale and Sunderland on March 08, 2026 in Burslem, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

There is a strong case that losing Mayenda would hurt Sunderland more than the numbers suggest. He represents something beyond statistics, a product of Sunderland’s recruitment philosophy, developed on Wearside from raw potential into a senior-level forward with European interest. For Régis Le Bris, who now faces the added demands of Europa League football, losing a versatile, hungry forward this summer narrows his attacking depth at precisely the wrong moment.

Fan sentiment reflects that tension too, with fans acknowledging that Sunderland may have simply outgrown his current level, even while recognising his contribution to the promotion story. The truth is that if Mayenda departs, the club will need to reinvest wisely and quickly. Sunderland are a growing side, but this window will reveal whether that growth is strong enough to retain their most sellable assets or whether the pull of European football elsewhere proves too great.