Sunderland agree £25.6m fee for defender Methalie

The 20-year-old French defender is expected to undergo a medical after a verbal agreement was reached for an initial £23.9m, with a further £1.7m in potential add-ons.

Methalie made 28 appearances for Toulouse in Ligue 1 last season, scoring twice in his final three games, as they finished ninth.

The deal follows a prolonged pursuit by Regis Le Bris' side as Sunderland look to strengthen their defence before the start of their Premier League campaign at Ipswich Town next Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Black Cats will also compete in Europe for the first time in 53 years and are looking to add greater depth to their squad.

Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier, who signed on a free transfer from Lille, remains the only completed transfer so far in the window for Sunderland.

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