Sunderland Complete Signing of Malick Fofana

Sunderland have finally completed the signing of Malick Fofana after a dramatic Deadline Day transfer saga involving two private jets and the player changing his mind multiple times.

The Black Cats agreed a deal to sign the winger on Deadline Day morning but Crystal Palace tried to hijack the move. Pierre Sage worked with Fofana before at Lyon and was involved in the attempt to lure him to London.

With both Premier League clubs agreeing a deal with the French club, Fofana was then sat at the airport. Two private jets were waiting for him to make a decision. One plane was set for Sunderland, the other for London.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, the club’s owner, travelled to Lyon to convince him to join.

Fofana’s move to the Stadium of Light consists of an initial £25.7m with £5.14m in add-ons. The total package rose to £30.8m by the end of the night.

Arsenal were also considering a move for Fofana over the weekend but did not make a formal offer. The North London club watched from the sidelines as the bidding war between the two Championship sides intensified.

Fofana also took one medical in Lyon on Deadline Day that both teams had access to. The player underwent the physical assessment while the agents and officials for both clubs were present, creating a tense atmosphere at the medical center.

Here is how the evening unfolded:

• 10:47am: After Arsenal did not take up the chance to sign Fofana, Sunderland agreed a deal with Lyon for the winger worth up to £30m.
• 1:01pm: Crystal Palace try to hijack Sunderland’s five-year deal for Fofana by entering in direct communication with him in an attempt to convince him to join them.
• 3:18pm: Palace agree a deal with Lyon for Fofana. Sunderland begin talks with fellow Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio on top of the Fofana deal.
• 3:42pm: Fofana is at Lyon airport with two private jets waiting on him to make a decision—one bound for Sunderland and another for London.
• 8:24pm: Louis-Dreyfus visits Lyon to try and persuade Fofana to choose Sunderland over Palace. The player effectively undergoes one medical for both teams.
• 9:50pm: Fofana gives Sunderland the green light after changing mind multiple times throughout the day. The price of the deal rises to £30.8m.
• 10:54pm: Sunderland submit a deal sheet to get the Fofana deal over the line.
• 12:15am: Sunderland announce the Fofana deal.