Sunderland close to €30m deal for Toulouse full-back Dayann Methalie

Sunderland are close to agreeing a fee of about €30m with Toulouse for full-back Dayann Methalie. The 20-year-old defender is being pursued as a summer addition to Regis Le Bris’ squad.

Methalie played 30 matches for Toulouse in all competitions last season, scoring twice and supplying two assists. His performances have placed him among the more promising young full-backs in Ligue 1, while his contract in France runs until the summer of 2030.

The Frenchman is primarily a left-back, but he can also operate as a left-sided wide player. His defensive qualities include well-timed challenges and strong tackling, while he is also comfortable clearing danger and passing the ball out from the back.

Methalie has shown that he can contribute in the final third as well as protect his own defence. That combination would give Sunderland greater depth on the left and provide competition for a starting position as he develops at the club.

The main question would be how quickly he could adjust to the physical demands and intensity of the Premier League. At 20, he would arrive with room to improve, and Sunderland see the potential for him to become an important player in the coming seasons.

Sunderland’s recent form gives Le Bris’ side a positive backdrop as they continue their squad planning. They have won three of their last five matches, drawing once and losing once, with victories over York, Chelsea and Everton, before a goalless draw against Manchester United. Their next fixture is away to Ipswich on 22 August in the Premier League.