🚨 ARENA ALERT: Sunderland Agree £25.6m Deal for Dayann Méthalie

Sunderland have reached an agreement with Toulouse to sign highly rated defender Dayann Méthalie, completing a major breakthrough after weeks of negotiations for the France Under-21 international.

The deal is worth around £25.6 million (€30m) including add-ons, with Méthalie expected to undergo his medical before completing a five-year contract.

The agreement was reported by RMC Sport and other French sources on Saturday.

A Deal Sunderland Refused to Give Up On

Sunderland had been pursuing Méthalie for several weeks, but the negotiations were far from straightforward.

Toulouse had previously rejected offers, including a reported €33m proposal, as the French club pushed for a package that reflected the defender's growing value.

[Football Place +1]

That made Saturday's breakthrough particularly significant.

The Black Cats have now finally reached the club-to-club agreement they had been chasing.

Méthalie Had Already Chosen Sunderland

The player's preference was never the biggest obstacle.

Méthalie had reportedly already agreed personal terms with Sunderland and wanted the move to the Premier League, leaving the clubs to negotiate the financial details.

[L'Équipe]

That determination has now paid off.

The 20-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract, giving Sunderland a long-term defensive investment rather than simply a short-term solution.

Why Sunderland Wanted Him

Méthalie enjoyed a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign with Toulouse, establishing himself as one of the club's most promising young defenders.

The left-footed Frenchman is capable of playing at left-back, wing-back or centrally, giving Régis Le Bris valuable tactical flexibility. Toulouse themselves have highlighted his versatility and defensive qualities.

[Toulouse FC +1]

His development has also been rapid.

After progressing through Toulouse's academy, Méthalie signed his first professional contract in 2024 before earning regular first-team opportunities and eventually breaking into France's youth setup.

Sunderland Beat Competition

Sunderland's persistence was important because Méthalie attracted interest from elsewhere.

Newcastle had previously monitored the defender, while AC Milan were also linked with the 20-year-old during the summer. Sunderland ultimately managed to convince both the player and Toulouse.

[The Guardian +1]

The move also fits Sunderland's recruitment strategy of investing in young players with significant room for development.

A Major Investment for the Black Cats

A fee of around £25.6m makes Méthalie one of the biggest investments of Sunderland's recent transfer activity.

It also underlines how seriously the club are preparing for a campaign that includes Premier League and European football.

For Le Bris, the arrival provides another option in defence and gives Sunderland greater depth for a season that will demand considerably more from the squad.

Medical Is the Next Step

Despite the agreement, the transfer is not officially completed yet.

Méthalie still has to undergo his medical before the final paperwork can be completed. Once those formalities are finished, Sunderland will be able to officially announce their new defender.

[Get French Football News]

But the biggest hurdle has now been cleared.

🚨 SEVENS SPORTS ARENA — ARENA ALERT

Sunderland have agreed a £25.6m package with Toulouse for Dayann Méthalie.

The player already has an agreement with Sunderland, a five-year contract is expected and his medical is the next step.

After weeks of negotiations and multiple rejected bids, the Black Cats have finally got their man.

Dayann Méthalie is heading to Sunderland. Arena Alert! 🚨