Sunderland are on the verge of signing Dayann Methalie from Toulouse for around £26m, according to The Guardian — and the player Newcastle United spent months scouting is heading to their North East neighbours instead.

Methalie, a 20-year-old France Under-21s defender, has verbally agreed a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light. Club-to-club talks with Toulouse are ongoing, with Get French Football News reporting on July 27 that the fee was close to €30m before The Guardian's updated figure of approximately £26m the following day (The Guardian).

At 6ft 2in, Methalie is a versatile left-sided defender comfortable at left-back, wingback, or in the middle of a back four. He made 27 Ligue 1 appearances for Toulouse last season, showing the recovery pace and assured left foot that drew admirers across Europe. Sunderland were linked with him as far back as January 2, when The Guardian's transfer rumours column named them among the clubs interested.

Newcastle had tracked Methalie extensively and reportedly tried to sign him in the January 2026 window. This summer, they stepped away. No bid was submitted, and the door opened for Sunderland to move.

What makes the deal click is the French connection. Sunderland's manager, Régis Le Bris, is a compatriot of Methalie's, and the squad already includes French-speaking players in Enzo Le Fée, Nordi Mukiele, and Habib Diarra. That environment should ease a young defender's settling-in period. Methalie would become Le Bris's second summer signing after Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier, who arrived on a free transfer from Lille.

Sunderland can also offer something Newcastle currently cannot: European football. Methalie would walk into a squad preparing for the 2026–27 Europa League campaign — a significant draw for a player looking to make the step up. He is likely to compete with Reinildo for the first-choice left-back spot, though his ability to slot into a back three or back four gives Le Bris tactical flexibility.

Meanwhile, Newcastle's summer business has its own threads to untangle. Eddie Howe needs cover at both full-back positions, particularly on the right after Kieran Trippier's departure at the end of last season. Captain Bruno Guimarães is due back from a post-World Cup holiday in Brazil, with a training camp at La Manga on the horizon — though his future may hinge on whether Arsenal meet an asking price of around £80m for the 28-year-old. Newcastle also rejected a £10m bid from Besiktas for midfielder Joe Willock but appear willing to sell at a fee closer to £20m.

For Sunderland fans, this is the kind of signing that tells you where the club sees itself. A young, highly-rated defender choosing the Stadium of Light over a Premier League rival up the road — with European nights back on Wearside and a manager who speaks his language. Methalie is not a household name yet. Give him a few months by the River Wear and that may change.