Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda is close to joining Stade Rennais on a permanent deal after the French side advanced in negotiations.
Ouest France report on the situation around 21-year-old today and Rennes advancing negotiations with Sunderland for him.
Sunderland talks progress
According to the newspaper’s information, the French side made progress in the last few hours regarding a deal for the Sunderland striker.
That follows reports yesterday that the two sides were close to finalising a deal for Eliezer Mayenda this summer. Stade Rennais had only previously been named as a potential suitor, alongside Porto.
But Sport Witness covered reports explaining how those Porto claims had been dismissed in Portugal. It now appears such reports were simply a tactic to pressure the French side into making a definitive move.
That is what they have now done. According to Ouest France, the deal between them and Sunderland is ‘in the pipeline’. He will leave the Stadium of Light for around €20m.
They report that the player has favoured a move to Rennes despite interest from Spain and Portugal. He will sign a long-term deal at the French club.
Reduced playing time
A hero of the Black Cats’ promotion campaign, Eliezer Mayenda found his playing time at the club reduced last season.
He managed just eight starts in the Premier League last season despite 20 appearances in total. 2026 was particularly bad for him as managed just one minute in the league after March.
That has led to talk of an exit this summer as the youngster seeks regular playing time elsewhere. Now a move to Rennes appears to be progressing, with confidence that the deal will be done sooner rather than later.
It will be a good one for the Black Cats too. They’re set to bag a healthy profit on a player who cost them just €800,000 three years ago.
🇨🇭 Granit Xhaka | “We should be talking Algeria, not Chelsea”
➡️ Swiss annoyance over Sunderland transfer drama https://t.co/QRTFJmlatP #safc #cfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) June 30, 2026
