Stade Rennais Faces Internal Tensions Over €22M Eliezer Mayenda

Eliezer Mayenda Joins Stade Rennais for €22 Million

Eliezer Mayenda arrived at Stade Rennais during the summer 2026 transfer window as the club’s most expensive acquisition, commanding a €22 million fee from English side Sunderland. Selon des rapports, le jeune attaquant espagnol de 21 ans a été recruté pour servir de doublure à l’attaquant Esteban Lepaul, mais son manque de rendement et son temps de jeu réduit ont depuis provoqué des tensions en interne au sein du club du Roazhon Park.

The deal has become a primary point of contention between club management and sporting director Loïc Désiré. Information relayed via But! indicates that Stade Rennais hierarchy faults the former Strasbourg recruitment chief for committing a substantial sum to secure the Zaragoza native, who has struggled to adapt to Ligue 1 since his return to France following previous stints with Sochaux and Sunderland.

Limited Playing Time and Zero Goals in Brittany

Mayenda has failed to find the back of the net in any competition since joining the club, logging zero goals across eight total appearances. Despite Stade Rennais competing in the UEFA Europa League alongside domestic play, European fixtures have not yielded extended opportunities for the young forward, who has accumulated just 160 minutes on the pitch at an average of 20 minutes per match.

His sole starting appearance came during a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Olympique Lyonnais. That restricted deployment contrasts sharply with the club’s heavy summer overhaul under manager Franck Haise, which saw about a dozen departures—including central defender Jérémy Jacquet to Liverpool—and eight new arrivals meant to sustain competitiveness across multiple fronts.

Mayenda May Leave in January Amid Team Struggles

The friction surrounding Mayenda's €22 million transfer arrives as Stade Rennais struggles through a turbulent domestic campaign. Franck Haise’s side recently fell 4-3 away to Paris FC despite a hat-trick from Esteban Lepaul, marking their second defeat in three Ligue 1 matches and leaving the squad looking to rebound ahead of a home fixture against Strasbourg.

Given the steep financial investment and minimal return on the pitch, speculation has grown regarding an early exit during the January 2027 transfer window. Because a permanent sale at a satisfactory valuation is unlikely given his sparse minutes, club officials and representatives are reportedly considering a six-month loan agreement to run through the end of the 2026-2027 season.

More on Stade Rennais: Stade Rennais: Sidelined by Franck Haise, Quentin Merlin Sent to Play with the Reserve Team in National 2 · Franck Haise Praises Stade Rennais After Europa League Draw With Juventus