Sunderland have been heavily linked with a move for Toulouse full-back Dayann Methalie in recent days of the summer transfer window.
Sunderland appear poised to add highly-rated Toulouse full-back Dayann Methalie to Regis Le Bris' squad in the coming days of the summer transfer window, but the Black Cats and the Ligue 1 outfit appear to be apart in their valuations.
Earlier in the window, reports emerged that Sunderland were lining up a move for Methalie following his impressive first full senior season in the French top flight for Toulouse, in which he notched three goal contributions in 28 league outings.
A week or so following those initial rumours, it came to light that Sunderland had agreed a five-year contract with Methalie and his camp, and that club-to-club talks between the Stadium of Light hierarchy and the Toulouse transfer team were ongoing to finalise the transfer.
Following those reports, respected reporter Sacha Tavolieri outlined on X recently that Methalie has chosen Sunderland as his next footballing destination, and that the Black Cats have put a "serious package" on the negotiating table for Toulouse.
Days prior, major French outlet L'Equipe indicated that Sunderland's opening offer of "around €20m" (£17.1m) for the French youth international had been rejected by Toulouse, but the Black Cats have since improved their offer for the 20-year-old defender.
Tavolieri adds that Toulouse have "raised the bar" for their valuation of Methalie as the window has gone on, in light of their recent sale of striker Emersonn to Premier League new boys Ipswich Town in a reported £27.5m deal.
Toulouse's Asking Price For Sunderland Target Dayann Methalie
Therefore, Toulouse, who finished ninth in Ligue 1 last season, are said to be holding out for €30m/£25.7m fee for the academy product who is widely regarded as one of European football's most promising young left-backs.
According to Tavolieri, Sunderland's latest offer for Methalie "tops €25M (£21.4m) including add-ons", with fresh talks between Black Cats' Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi and the Toulouse hierarchy amid their circa £5m difference in valuation.
Methalie's £25.7m move to Sunderland would constitute one of the most expensive sales in Toulouse's history, and would be considered pure profit from a financial perspective for the French top flight side given that he is a homegrown academy product.
From the Black Cats' perspective, Methalie would be an ideal signing for Sunderland to solve Le Bris' issues at left-back following the summer exit of Dennis Cirkin and the seemingly inevitable departure of Arthur Masuaku, which leaves Reinildo as his only current senior trademark left-back.
However, the youngster is certainly more than a necessary body, with the Toulouse product establishing himself as one of the brightest young full-backs in the French top flight last season.
Considering the calibre of talent that the future French senior international is, and the scope he has for future development after shining in Ligue 1 at just 20-years-old, Sunderland must pay what is needed by Toulouse and ensure that the exciting talent's signature is secured this summer.
