Sunderland negotiate record €30m Methalie deal

In mid‑July, Sunderland were reported to be among several clubs monitoring Toulouse left‑back Dayann Methalie, a 20‑year‑old with two Ligue 1 goals and two assists last season. German side Bayer Leverkusen also expressed interest, reportedly ready to meet a €30 million asking price, while other European teams such as Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, AS Roma and Tottenham Hotspur were linked to the player.

A week later, Sunderland were said to be close to completing a £25.7 million transfer for Methalie, indicating that initial speculation had moved toward a concrete deal. At the same time, Newcastle United’s transfer focus shifted to Brazilian midfielder Danilo, with the club showing no intention of entering the race for Methalie.

By late July 2026, Sunderland had reached an agreement in principle with Toulouse for Methalie and were preparing a five‑year contract ahead of the Premier League season. The English club submitted a bid in the €25‑30 million range, but Toulouse held out for a club‑record fee of around €30 million, rejecting an earlier offer of roughly £17 million. Negotiations have continued for three to four weeks, with Sunderland’s interest confirmed despite competition from other clubs. Manager Régis Le Bris highlighted the player’s potential and the signing’s importance for the squad’s ambition.