Fabrizio Romano: Sunderland have agreed signing with medical ‘in the next days’

Sunderland’s summer has been quiet by design, but it is beginning to come alive.

After returning to the Premier League and finishing seventh last season, the Black Cats are preparing for the added demands of Europa League football.

That has created a different challenge for Régis Le Bris.

Sunderland signed 14 players ahead of their first campaign back in the top flight. This time, the head coach has stressed the need for carefully chosen additions instead of another sweeping rebuild.

Thomas Meunier remains the only confirmed arrival, with the Belgian joining on a free transfer after leaving Lille and should add know-how at right-back during a packed season.

Keeping Granit Xhaka has been just as important. Chelsea tested Sunderland’s resolve with an £8 million offer, but Le Bris shut down the prospect of losing his captain and the midfielder is understood to be happy on Wearside.

There has still been movement in the opposite direction.

Eliezer Mayenda has joined Rennes in a major sale, while goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has completed a club-record move to Wrexham. Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Bertrand Traoré and Niall Huggins also departed when their contracts expired.

Cirkin’s exit left Sunderland short of a natural long-term option on the left. Reinildo can fill that role, but the European schedule means Le Bris requires more depth.

That is why Dayann Méthalie has become such an important target.

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

The 20-year-old came through Toulouse’s academy and made his senior breakthrough last season. Toulouse moved quickly to protect their rising star by extending his contract until 2030 in October.

Méthalie can operate as a left-back, wing-back or on the left of centre-back, and while he won’t be arriving as the finished product, the defender has potential.

The jump into Premier League football will be demanding and Sunderland are paying heavily for that potential rather than years of top-level experience.

Toulouse rejected earlier Sunderland proposals and remained determined to secure a huge return for one of their brightest academy graduates.

The player’s preference, however, has consistently been reported as a move to the Stadium of Light, and now the breakthrough has arrived.

Sunderland agree deal to sign Dayann Methalie after weeks of talks

REUTERS/Alexandre Dimou

Fabrizio Romano now confirms that Sunderland have reached a verbal agreement with Toulouse worth £24 million up front, with another £1.5 million available through add-ons.

Toulouse have accepted the latest proposal and plans are being made for Méthalie to travel and undergo his medical in the coming days.

Barring a late problem, the France Under-21 defender is set to become Sunderland’s second senior signing of the summer.

It is a bold investment with a clear purpose. Le Bris needed another defender who could cover several jobs, survive a demanding schedule and grow with his team.

Méthalie appears to tick every box in that regard.