Sunderland’s £25m transfer at risk of collapse as player fails medical

Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie’s move to Sunderland is hanging in the balance, talkSPORT understands.

Methalie is returning to France after failing his medical ahead of a move to the Stadium of Light.

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Methalie had been given permission to formalise his transfer by his current club.

However, additional medical tests are now required for the 20-year-old.

As a result, he has departed the North East to return to France before a final decision is made.

Sunderland had agreed a £24million fee plus a further £1.7million in add-ons for the left-back.

It would have seen Methalie become the Black Cats’ second new addition of the summer.

Regis Le Bris’ side have already completed the signing of right-back Thomas Meunier on a free transfer.

However, their hopes of adding a new left-back before the start of the season have now been dented.

Sunderland begin their campaign away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.

The Black Cats finished seventh on their return to the top-flight after nine years away last term.

As a result, they will compete in the Europa League this season, their first taste of European action since 1973.

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Who is Dayann Methalie?

Prospective new signing Methalie has already represented France up to Under-21 level.

He has scored twice in four caps for them since making his debut at that age group in October.

The Toulouse academy graduate featured 30 times for the club across all competitions last season.

Those appearances included 27 in Ligue 1 as they ended the campaign in ninth place.

Last term saw Methalie deployed as a left-wing-back for Toulouse, whilst he can also play as a central defender.

The potential collapse of his move to Sunderland comes after he was left out of the squad for his current club’s latest fixture.

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Methalie was not involved alongside his teammates for their 2-1 friendly defeat to Hamburg on Saturday.

He could now feature in their season opener at home to Lyon this weekend, though.

The young defender missed six matches through injury last term.

His absence from the side in January followed a knee problem picked up at the start of the year.