Everton reportedly sent scouts to watch Sunderland U21 forward Eliezer Mayenda last night.
The young Black Cats battled out a 2-2 draw with Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup.
Mayenda led the line for Sunderland, regularly dropping deeper into a number 10 role to link with midfield.
The 20-year-old played for 60 minutes before a planned substitution on the hour mark as part of a managed schedule.
As per a report in the Sunderland Echo, Everton sent staff to the Stadium of Light to watch the youngster.
Sunderland first team coach Regis Le Bris was also in attendance, with Mayenda in his first team plans.
The Spanish forward joined Sunderland from French side Sochaux in a deal with around £1m in July 2023.
He was loaned out to SPL side Hibernian the following February, but only made two appearances north of the border.
The Zaragoza-born striker has since featured 51 times for Sunderland’s first team, scoring nine goals.
MAYENDA ON EVERTON’S RADER FOR JANUARY?
Indeed, Mayenda scored Sunderland’s first goal of the Championship play-off final in the summer, helping to earn them promotion.
Continuing his run of important goals, he then scored on the opening day of the Premier League season, in a 3-0 win over West Ham.
It’s his only goal of the season so far, having played in six out of Sunderland’s nine league games this season.
Everton will no doubt be in the market for a forward in January. However, you would imagine a more ready made goal scorer would be on Moyes’ wish list.
Mayenda is a prodigious talent though, and could be a player the Blues admire from a development standpoint.
David Moyes’ side travel to the Stadium of Light on Monday evening looking to get back to winning ways.
The Toffees suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time this season against Man City and Spurs.
High-flying Sunderland will prove another stern test, occupying fourth in the league, six points above Everton.