Sunderland have beaten Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the race to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana.
The Athletic reported earlier today that Palace were working to hijack Sunderland’s move after the north east club had reached an agreement to sign the Belgium international, a deal Palace also agreed with the French club.
The winger had been evaluating both offers, but has completed a medical and signed a five-year deal that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2031.
Sunderland will pay a €30million upfront fee for Fofana plus €5m in potential add-ons. Lyon confirmed via a statement that they had inserted a 12.5 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.
“He (Fofana) is a player with huge potential, and Sunderland AFC will provide him with the right environment to continue to develop and prosper,” Sunderland Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi said.
“He operates off the left and will complement the versatility of the other wide men we have at the club, who can play across both flanks. We are delighted to welcome Malick to the Club and look forward to supporting him as he takes the next steps in his career.”
It was always Sunderland.
Belgium winger Malick Fofana joins from Olympique Lyonnais on a long-term contract! ✍️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1VGPDAhBBA
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 1, 2026
Palace manager Pierre Sage, who previously coached Fofana between 2023 and 2025 when he was signed by the Ligue 1 club, was seen as key to the south London side entering the race for the 21-year-old’s signature.
On Monday, The Athletic reported that Arsenal were weighing up a move for Fofana, who had spoken with manager Mikel Arteta. Last summer, Chelsea made a verbal enquiry for him, and Everton held talks over a possible move.
Fofana joined Lyon in January 2024 having come through Genk’s academy and scoring five goals and providing ten assists in 64 games for the Belgian side’s first team.
Having represented Belgium in several youth age groups, Fofana has also scored one goal in five appearances for the senior national team.
Fofana has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 84 games for Lyon. An ankle injury halted his progress and limited him to just 16 appearances last season, but he has already scored two goals in six games for the French side this term.
Sunderland, who have started the new Premier League season with three points from a possible six, face Brentford at the G-Tech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Palace, who have lost both of their opening league games of the Premier League season, are next in action against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.