Karl Darlow is drawing interest from Everton, Manchester United and Leeds as he weighs his next move after his Elland Road deal ended. In parallel, Sunderland are facing an inbound £22m offer for Eliezer Mayenda from Stade Rennais, while Manchester United open
For Karl Darlow, the transfer window has started with a familiar pressure: clubs wanting him now, before pre-season plans harden. The 35-year-old is a free agent after his contract ran out at Elland Road. and he’s been on the radar of Everton. Manchester United and Leeds United as he weighs up his next step.
Darlow enjoyed a strong campaign for Leeds last season, finishing as first choice after dislodging Lucas Perri as No1. He made 24 appearances, and the timing matters—Leeds are pushing to renew terms because they want him to stay. But the push also feeds doubts around Perri’s future. especially with Illan Meslier also out of contract and hoping to sign for Arsenal.
Leeds’ interest hasn’t stopped there. They have also enquired after Parma and Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and they’ve added another layer to a goalkeeper market already moving quickly. Aston Villa have also made that same enquiry after Suzuki.
Manchester United’s interest is real too, with the Wales international on their list, but the club’s stance is clear: they want to sell Altay Bayindir first to create more financial headroom. Bayindir has interest from Besiktas, among others.
Everton have joined the hunt for a different reason. They want someone who can push Jordan Pickford further.
That scramble for goalkeeping cover runs alongside Sunderland’s own forward situation, where a £22m bid has landed. Stade Rennais have made an offer for Sunderland forward Eliezer Mayenda, and talks are advancing today.
The 21-year-old had limited game time last season, and he is open to moving so he can play more regularly. Porto and Real Betis had also shown interest before, but Rennes have firmed up their pursuit with the bid for the Spain U21 international.
Sunderland signed Mayenda from Sochaux for just under £1m, and the French side are understood to have a sell-on clause. For a club that worked hard to earn its place back in the spotlight, that clause could matter just as much as the fee.
Mayenda’s importance to Sunderland is hard to miss. He scored Sunderland’s first goal in the 2025 EFL Championship play-off final at Wembley. equalising before they went on to beat Sheffield United 2-1 and secure promotion to the Premier League. He then scored on his Premier League debut for Sunderland, the first goal in a 3–0 win over West Ham United.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are also trying to make moves in attack. The club has held exploratory talks with West Ham for winger Crysencio Summerville. Netherlands international Summerville was at the World Cup, but Netherlands fell in the round of 32.
United’s own internal trade-off is part of the process. The current expectation is that Marcus Rashford would have to depart before United move for another winger. United’s priority also remains to add another midfielder after missing out on Mateus Fernandes. who left West Ham for Tottenham this week in an £85million move.
The window is only getting going. but the pattern is already clear in the negotiations: Leeds want Darlow back while United and Everton push alternatives into the conversation. and Sunderland must respond as Rennes tests their valuation of Mayenda. United’s talks for Summerville add to the sense of urgency—decisions elsewhere could determine how quickly they move forward. both in midfield and out wide.
Karl Darlow Everton Manchester United Leeds United Sunderland Eliezer Mayenda Stade Rennais Crysencio Summerville West Ham Altay Bayindir Jordan Pickford Lucas Perri Illan Meslier Zion Suzuki Marcus Rashford Mateus Fernandes Tottenham Sheffield United West Ham United Premier League EFL Championship transfer window
Goalkeepers always getting swapped like socks. Darlow to whoever, got it.
Wait so Mayenda to Rennes for 22m? That seems like a lot for someone who barely played. Maybe Sunderland just needs cash fast.
I think this is all about United not wanting to pay for Darlow or something, like they’ll just keep Bayindir? But the article says sell Bayindir first, which feels backwards to me. Also Meslier out of contract and gonna Arsenal, so Leeds will be scrambling anyway. Kinda wild how many keepers are suddenly “on a list.”
Why does it say pressure before pre-season plans harden like that’s a thing lol. If Darlow was first choice at Leeds then why are they worried about Perri? And Zion Suzuki going to Villa and also United? Sounds like FIFA logic, just buy the highest rating keeper.