SUNDERLAND were the eventual winners of the dramatic deadline day tug-of-war with Crystal Palace for Lyon’s Malick Fofana.
He penned a five-year contract with Regis Le Bris’ side after a deal worth £25.7m plus a potential £5.3m in add-ons, a new club-record, was finally agreed following the transfer rollercoaster.
The Black Cats pounced after Arsenal opted against moving for the winger over the weekend – only for the Eagles to swoop before the star flew to Wearside today.
The North East club had agreed to sign the Belgian international, 21, before Palace also had a similar offer accepted.
That left Fofana with TWO private jets – one bound for Sunderland and the other to London – waiting at Lyon airport to fly him to England but instead he failed to board either.
Palace manager Pierre Sage, who previously coached him at Lyon, was desperate for a reunion with the ace at Selhurst Park.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
LET’S PARD-Y
Fernandez-Pardo seals £51m Newcastle move as club-record buy heads out on loan
CRACKER
Win stunning £600k 4-Bedroom Luxury Home & BMW X5 for just £1.79 with our discount
Fofana evaluated both offers as he instead underwent a medical at a private hospital in France before finally agreeing to move to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland lodged a deal sheet, giving them an additional two hours to get the deal done, as owner Kyril Louise Dreyfus remained with the player and his representatives in Lyon to ensure there were no further hiccups.
He is now finally due to fly to Sunderland on Wednesday to start life in the Premier League.
Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi said: “Malick has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.
Most read in Sport
LAIT ADDITION
Man Utd REJECT Rayan Ait-Nouri deadline day loan move from rivals Man City
Toff pitch
Everton see Zirkzee move REJECTED by Man Utd before shock Balogun deal U-turn
CAM HERE
Chelsea fuming as £47m Camara transfer COLLAPSES after Everton U-turn on Balogun
SURGERY SHOCK
Ex-Man Utd star McTominay to undergo heart surgery as statement released
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“He is a player with huge potential and Sunderland AFC will provide him with the right environment to continue to develop and prosper. 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.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland also signed Tottenham star Kevin Danso on loan with an obligation to buy the star.
The Black Cats will pay an initial £2,5m loan fee for the Austrian.
That move will become permanent for an additional £22.25m should they avoid relegation this term after the ace, 27, agreed a four-year contract with the option for an additional 12 months.
Danso, who will wear the number 4 shirt and previously worked with Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi at Lens, said: “I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“Sunderland is a big club with huge ambition, and I’m excited to be part of what we’re building this season.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
“I know Florent well from our time together at Lens, so that was an important factor in my decision.
“I’m looking forward to working with him again, meeting my new team-mates and experiencing the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.”