Sochaux freeze Eliezer Mayenda’s move to Sunderland

Sochaux forward Eliezer Mayenda’s (18) move to Sunderland AFC is off for the time being, according to a report this Thursday afternoon from L’Est Républicain and L’Équipe.

The Doubs club is on the verge of bankruptcy after being handed an administrative relegation to third-tier National 1 by the DNCG – Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, French football’s financial watchdog. Sochaux have either sold their most marketable players or terminated their contracts entirely. In this context, promising Spanish forward Mayenda was transfer-listed. Sochaux and Sunderland then agreed a transfer fee in excess of €1m with a 20% resale percentage. According to l’Ést Républicain and L’Équipe, Sochaux allowed Mayenda to take a tour of the Black Cats’ facilities last weekend.

However, there’s a twist. Sochaux president Frankie Yau and club CEO Samuel Laurent have contacted Mayenda’s entourage to inform him that the move to the Championship side was off. The club’s last-gasp attempt to find a potential buyer to save it from bankruptcy would be the reason why Mayenda’s move to Sunderland has been called off.

Meanwhile, L’Equipe understands that the Sochaux executives are now asking for a €1.5m transfer fee for the U17 Spain international. The French publication understands that Mayenda met with the club’s board to inform them of his desire to part ways with Sochaux.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval