Medical failure puts Sunderland’s £25m left‑back gamble in doubt

Sunderland are desperate to plug a left‑back vacancy after signing right‑back Thomas Meunier, and have targeted 20‑year‑old Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie, whose £24 million fee plus £1.7 million in add‑ons would make him the Black Cats’ second summer signing ahead of their opening match.

The Black Cats finished seventh last season, earning a place in the Europa League for the first time since 1973, and will open the campaign away at Ipswich Town on Saturday.

With only Meunier secured on the right, Sunderland lack a natural left‑back, a gap that manager Regis Le Bris hopes to fill before the season starts.

£25m deal hangs in balance

Getty reported that Sunderland agreed a £24 million fee with Toulouse, plus £1.7 million in performance add‑ons, for Methalie’s move to the Stadium of Light, but the deal stalled after he failed his medical and returned to France for further tests.

The 20‑year‑old was given permission by Toulouse to formalise the transfer, yet additional examinations are now required, prompting his departure from the North East back to France before a final decision is made.

Methalie, a product of the Toulouse academy, featured 30 times across all competitions last season – 27 of those in Ligue 1 as the club finished ninth – and can operate as a left wing‑back or central defender.

He has also represented France at under‑21 level, scoring twice in four caps since his debut in October, and missed six matches last term after a knee problem early in the year.

Sunderland’s hopes of adding a new left‑back before the season opener have now been dented, leaving the Black Cats to rely on existing options while they await the outcome of Methalie’s additional medical assessments.

Next steps for the transfer

If the further tests confirm his fitness, Sunderland could complete the £25 million deal and register Methalie before the Europa League debut; if not, the club will need to explore alternative left‑back options ahead of the Ipswich fixture.