A third Premier League club is trying to swoop in and steal Malick Fofana’s transfer as deadline day heats up.
A third Premier League team is trying to swoop in and steal the deal for Lyon winger Malick Fofana, even though Sunderland has already agreed on a £30 million transfer.
Fofana caught the eye of many clubs after Lyon announced they need to sell players worth €100 million before next summer, following their exit from the Champions League qualifiers against Fenerbahce.
In one of the summer’s boldest moves, newly promoted Hull City made a verbal offer of €35 million (£30m) last week and even spoke to the 21-year-old over a video call. But Fofana turned down Hull, preferring a club where he could play in European competitions.
Since then, several big clubs, including Inter Milan and Roma, have shown interest. However, Sunderland managed to swoop in and agree terms with the speedy winger, despite Arsenal having already sorted personal terms with him.
On deadline day morning (September 1), Sunderland agreed a deal just under £30 million, and Fofana was set for a medical before signing a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
But then came a twist. Reporter David Ornstein revealed that Crystal Palace, who play in the Europa League, are trying to hijack the move. Their manager, Pierre Sage, is talking directly with Fofana.
Sage coached Lyon from 2023 to 2025, the time when Fofana joined the club, and he’s seen as key to Palace joining the race to sign the winger in the final hours of the transfer window.
Fofana is known as one of Europe’s brightest young talents, though injuries held him back last season. The 2005-born star missed six months due to an ankle injury and made only 16 appearances, scoring twice as Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1.
He started this season strong with a goal against Toulouse. Sage, who first brought him to Lyon, knows how special Fofana is. In 48 games under Sage, Fofana scored 11 goals and made 5 assists.
Sage praises Fofana’s skills: “He has a very high skill level and is getting ready to reach even more. The next step is starting games and keeping up his performance. Once he does that, he can build great momentum. I truly believe he has a bright future.”
In October 2024, Sage added, “He’s a well-rounded player who knows when to cross, shoot, or make the right move. When you respect the game, it respects you back—even your teammates do. He has top-level potential.”
Now, whether a call from Sage will be enough to make Fofana turn down Sunderland and choose Palace remains to be seen. Either way, this transfer story is one of the most exciting ones on deadline day!