Malick Fofana finally decides between Sunderland and Crystal Palace

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Lyon’s Malick Fofana has finally made a decision over his future after a remarkable day that saw him linked with a move to Arsenal, Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

The Belgium international winger has elected to complete a move to Sunderland, according to Fabrizio Romano, who says that the player’s agents have confirmed his decision just a couple of hours before the transfer deadline.

Fofana’s saga has been one of the stories of Deadline Day, but the attacker is now set to complete a deal worth around €39 million.

Current ETV

Malick Fofana

F, M (L)

Lyon

Malick Fofana

F, M (L)

Lyon

€27.5M

ETV Range

€24.8M - €30.3M

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Fofana confirms Sunderland move

Arsenal were the first fallers in the transfer saga as they were unwilling to match Lyon’s expectations over a transfer fee for the former Gent star.

Sunderland then emerged as strong contenders to sign Fofana only to have a deal apparently hijacked by Crystal Palace, whose effort to sign the player was spearheaded by former Lyon head coach Pierre Sage.

Just as it seemed that he was London-bound, Sunderland made a fresh plea to the player which ultimately appears to have worked.

L'Equipe first broke the news but Romano confirmed shortly after 9pm BST: “Malick Fofana’s agents have just informed all parties involved in the transfer saga that the player wants to join Sunderland. Fofana is now set to join Sunderland as originally planned this morning.”

An all-time Deadline Day saga

Fofana’s move will go down as one of the great Deadline Day sagas, not least because of the confusion that was caused by the deal. Throughout the day, various reporters were claiming different things, with even the whereabouts of the player unclear at points.

It ended with Fofana conducting a medical examination unaware of who he was going to join.

French investigative journalist Romain Molina has outlined events, claiming: “The player abruptly changed his mind between Palace and Sunderland after the Black Cats promised a more generous commission to the agents (knowing that Roc Nation employs Fofana's uncle, who then spoke to his nephew...)”

He added: “Don't look for the coaches or the projects, just look at who's going to pocket what around the players.”

The ramifications of the delay in Fofana’s move are significant for Lyon, who had lined up a deal to sign Youssouf Fofana from AC Milan, only for this to collapse before the French deadline.

“Youssouf Fofana cannot sign with OL even though Milan and Lyon had reached a total agreement. Malick Fofana not having left yet. Lyon cannot register Fofana,” Fabrice Hawkins reported.

Crystal Palace and Lyon are, therefore, left ultimately disappointed, but Sunderland have their man.