Top News

7 August 2026

Sunderland remain ‘ahead’ in the battle to sign Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie, even as interest in the player continues to rise quickly, with Newcastle United also among the clubs monitoring him.

Methalie started his football development in the youth set-up at US Colomiers before moving to the Toulouse academy in 2014. He then signed his first professional contract with the club in 2024.

During the most recent campaign, the 20-year-old featured 27 times in Ligue 1 and was involved in four goals, form that has attracted attention from a number of clubs.

Sunderland have been focused on bringing in young and gifted players in recent transfer windows, and the club have already agreed personal terms with Methalie.

However, the Black Cats still have more to do because they have not yet reached an agreement with Toulouse, who want to receive at least €30m from the deal.

More teams are now in the hunt for the defender, but Sunderland are still ‘ahead’, according to Italian journalist Mirko Di Natale.

Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle are interested in the Toulouse player, while AC Milan are also keen, and Juventus have recently made an enquiry about Methalie’s situation.

Talks between Sunderland and Toulouse over Methalie’s transfer are continuing, but it is understood that the French defender’s priority is a move to the Stadium of Light, which gives Sunderland an advantage over the other clubs chasing him.

If rival clubs begin submitting bids, though, the situation could become less certain, with Newcastle in particular potentially soon needing a left-back because of interest in Lewis Hall.

Hall is being pursued by Manchester United, and Methalie could be a suitable option for Matthias Jaissle’s side if Hall does make the move to Old Trafford.

The contest for the Toulouse defender could intensify over the coming weeks if Sunderland are unable to complete an agreement with Toulouse.

Sunderland also have several transfer pursuits under way, with Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei another player the club are now actively trying to sign.