Malick Fofana chooses Sunderland after deadline-day battle

The Guardian reported that Malick Fofana chose Sunderland over Crystal Palace after a deadline-day contest for the Lyon winger. Sunderland submitted a deal sheet to complete the transfer after the deadline, with the proposed fee rising to £31 million if add-ons are met. The deal had not yet been formally completed when the report was published.

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Fofana, 21, had appeared set to join Sunderland on a five-year contract on Tuesday morning. Palace then made a late attempt to redirect the move, led by manager Pierre Sage, who previously coached the Belgium international at Lyon. After a telephone conversation with Sage, the winger was reported to have reconsidered and favoured a reunion with his former coach in south London.

Lyon responded to the competing interest by agreeing improved terms with both Premier League clubs, according to the report. Agents’ fees and Fofana’s personal terms were also understood to have increased. Sunderland and Palace each sent a private aircraft to Lyon, but Fofana instead remained in France for a medical jointly commissioned by the two clubs as the deadline approached.

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus also travelled to Lyon and held a private conversation with Fofana. Shortly after 9pm, the player made his choice in favour of Sunderland and was expected to travel to the Stadium of Light. Sunderland’s deal sheet allowed additional time for the paperwork required to finish the proposed transfer.

The initial fee was reported at £26 million, with performance-related or other add-ons capable of taking the total to £31 million. At that level, Fofana would become Sunderland’s record signing, moving ahead of the £30 million paid to Strasbourg for midfielder Habib Diarra during the previous summer transfer window.

Fofana joined Lyon from Gent in 2024 and has scored 11 goals in 59 appearances for the French club. He has also won five senior caps for Belgium. Those figures underline the experience Sunderland are seeking to add, but the immediate position remained procedural: the player had selected the Wearside club, the deal sheet had been filed and Sunderland expected the transfer to be concluded.