Sunderland pip Crystal Palace in battle of the private jets to land Malick Fofana
Sunderland won a dramatic deadline-day tussle with Crystal Palace to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana in a club-record £31m deal. The 21-year-old Belgium international appeared set for Sunderland on Tuesday morning, but Palace manager Pierre Sage, who previously coached Fofana at Lyon, launched a late attempt to lure him to Selhurst Park, prompting a fresh bidding war between the two clubs.
With both clubs flying private jets to Lyon and Fofana undergoing a medical jointly commissioned by both teams, the saga was resolved after Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus travelled to France to speak with the player directly. Fofana, who scored 11 goals in 59 appearances since joining Lyon from Gent in 2024, ultimately committed to a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light shortly after 9pm, with the fee rising from an initial £26m to £31m via add-ons, surpassing the £30m paid for Habib Diarra as Sunderland's new record signing.
In short
- Sunderland beat Crystal Palace to sign Lyon's Malick Fofana for £31m
- Both clubs sent private jets to Lyon amid a late bidding war
- Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus intervened personally to secure the club-record deal
Explained simply
Malick Fofana is a 21-year-old Belgian winger who joined Lyon from Gent in 2024. He has scored 11 goals in 59 appearances for the French club and has also played for Belgium’s national team.
Sunderland and Crystal Palace are English clubs competing in the Premier League. Sunderland’s owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and Palace manager Pierre Sage, who had coached Fofana at Lyon, were among the key figures in the transfer contest.
The deal matters to Sunderland because its £31m fee, including add-ons, sets a new club record. It is also a major investment in a young player as Sunderland build their squad.