Sunderland complete £33.5m capture of Lyon winger Malick Fofana after deadline-day tussle
Malick Fofana has agreed to join Sunderland from Lyon after a transfer deadline day tussle on Tuesday that involved Crystal Palace and late interest from Arsenal. The 21-year-old Belgian will move to the Stadium of Light following competing bids and a sequence of last-minute negotiations.
Fofana, a Belgian winger who previously played for KAA Gent, is a 21-year-old Lyon player who attracted late interest from Arsenal, whose approach was led by sporting director Andrea Berta. Arsenal made initial inquiries but hesitated to meet Lyon’s firm £30 million asking price and withdrew from the race. Sunderland then moved quickly, agreeing a total financial package of £30 million with Lyon, sorting personal terms for a five-year contract and booking a medical.
Crystal Palace submitted an improved bid of £33.5 million after Sunderland’s initial agreement with Lyon, and Lyon accepted Palace’s offer, creating a sudden change in the transfer landscape. The situation produced logistical confusion: Fofana and his representatives reportedly had two private jets booked and waiting on the tarmac, one destined for London and one for Newcastle. Attracted by the prospect of moving to the English capital, Fofana reportedly boarded the flight to London to complete his move to Crystal Palace.
Sunderland responded by matching Palace’s £33.5 million fee and launching a counteroffensive to regain the player. The Wearside club offered a significantly improved commission to Fofana’s representatives as part of their revised package. That increased commission proved to be the decisive factor in the closing stages of negotiations.
After Sunderland revised their offer, Fofana accepted the new terms and boarded a flight from Lyon to Newcastle. Crystal Palace representatives were reportedly left uninformed about the change in the player’s plans and whereabouts as the deal swung back in Sunderland’s favour. Fofana then touched down in England to finalise his medical and complete the transfer.
The Belgian will join Sunderland in a £33.5 million deal, which the club confirmed makes him their most expensive signing in history. He is due to undergo a medical to complete the move to the Stadium of Light.