Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus travels to Lyon to sign Malick Fofana

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus traveled to Lyon to secure the transfer of forward Malick Fofana. The 21-year-old Belgian international completed a medical at a private hospital in the city to facilitate a move before the transfer window closed. Reports indicate that Fofana has agreed to join the Premier League club following the owner's intervention. Crystal Palace remained the primary competitor for the player throughout negotiations, while Arsenal also expressed interest but declined to meet the €40m asking price set by the Ligue 1 club. The transfer remains pending with only two hours remaining in the window. The move would bring the former Gent forward to the Stadium of Light as the deadline nears.

• 7:50 PMYahoo Sports — Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus travels to Lyon to persuade Malick Fofana