Rennes chase €25m talent as Mayenda's next step looms

Stade Rennais FC are on the verge of sealing a €25 million transfer for 21‑year‑old forward Eliezer Mayenda from AFC Sunderland. The fee, which includes bonuses, would bring the English club roughly €25 million in the current summer window, as reported by Foot Mercato.

Mayenda, a product of the FC Sochaux‑Montbéliard academy, became the youngest player ever to appear for the French club in a professional match. His contract with Sunderland runs until 2030, and the €25 million price tag reflects Rennes’ ambition to secure a forward who has already proven his impact at senior level.

He is an Under‑21 international with nine caps and two goals. He moved to the United Kingdom in the summer of 2023, beginning his senior career abroad.

In early 2024, Mayenda joined Hibernian FC on loan from February to May, gaining experience in the Scottish league. The loan preceded his return to Sunderland for the 2024‑25 season.

Mayenda played a pivotal role in Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2024‑25 season, contributing ten goals and five assists. He featured in 41 matches across all competitions, influencing the outcome on fifteen occasions.

During the 2025‑26 campaign, the Zaragoza‑born striker made 20 Premier League appearances, eight of them as a starter. He found the net twice, despite featuring less regularly than the previous season.