Sunderland have agreed a deal worth just under £30m to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana, with the Belgium international set to undergo a medical in England and sign a five-year contract. The move is significant as it strengthens Sunderland's squad ahead of their first European campaign in 51 years, having qualified for the Europa League, and comes after Arsenal failed to agree a fee with Lyon for the same player.

The 21-year-old's transfer will cost an initial £25.6m, with a further £4.3m possible in add-ons. Fofana, who began his career at KAA Gent before joining Lyon in 2024, scored two goals and provided one assist last season despite being hampered by injury. He is set to link up with defender Kevin Danso, who is joining on loan from Tottenham with an option to buy, as part of a busy summer for Sunderland that has also seen the arrivals of Thomas Meunier, Dayann Methalie and Jules Ahoka following their seventh-place finish on their return to the top flight.