- Crystal Palace are attempting to hijack Sunderland's €35m deal for Malick Fofana after the Lyon winger arrived in London amid late transfer drama.
Crystal Palace are trying to hijack the Malick Fofana deal from Sunderland in the final hours of the transfer window, according to David Ornstein. Sunderland have already agreed to a package of €35 million with Lyon after Arsenal withdrew their interest.
Fofana arrives in London amid transfer drama
As a result of the palace's attempt, Fofana has landed in London even though he had been given permission to travel to Sunderland for his medical, reports Alex Crook.
Current Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is a former Lyon manager who managed the club from 2023 to 2025 and signed the Belgian winger to the Ligue 1 side in January 2024, so Palace views Fofana as the right option to reinforce the attack, as Mateta is injured and Ismaila Sarr is pushing for a move to Liverpool in the last hours.
Fofana's profile fits Palace's attacking plans
Malcik Fofana has a profile that could make an immediate impact in a team led by a manager like Pierre Sage, who wants his team to play in wider areas more than through the center. Fofana is an excellent carrier of the ball through the wide and quick transitions with the capability of beating opponents in 1v1 situations effectively.
Losing the race for Fofana will seriously affect Sunderland's plans, as they already lost the pursuit for another left winger, Igor Paixão, from Marseille, as the manager wants him to stay.
With the transfer window entering its final hours, Fofana's decision could determine whether Sunderland complete the deal or Palace pull off a dramatic late hijack