Sunderland have reached a £25.6 million agreement with Toulouse for left-back Dayann Methalie, moving closer to adding the French defender to their squad before the new Premier League season.
The 20-year-old is expected to complete a medical after the two clubs settled on a verbal agreement. The package sees Sunderland pay an initial £23.9 million, with a further £1.7 million available in performance related add-ons.
Methalie featured 28 times for Toulouse in Ligue 1 last term, scoring twice across his final three appearances as the French side finished ninth in the table.
Regis Le Bris has tracked the young full-back for an extended period, and the Black Cats are keen to reinforce the left side of their defence before the Premier League opener at Ipswich Town next Saturday, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.
This season also marks Sunderland’s first European campaign in 53 years, increasing the need for squad depth. Belgium international Thomas Meunier, signed on a free transfer from Lille, remains the only incoming deal completed by the club so far this summer.
With a medical still to be completed and paperwork to finalise, Methalie’s arrival would represent a significant investment for Sunderland as they prepare for a demanding season on two fronts.
