Sunderland Bumped Up Agents Commission To See Off Crystal Palace For Malick Fofana | OneFootball

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Sunderland overtook Crystal Palace in the battle to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana by upping the commission they were prepared to pay his agents.

The 21-year-old left winger has impressed with performances for Lyon and has now become the centre of transfer attention in the ongoing window.

Sunderland have been his long-time admirers and this morning it was suggested that they managed to beat English champions Arsenal in the race for his signature.

Crystal Palace entered the race with the intention to hijack Fofana’s move to Sunderland with the help of their manager, Pierre Sage.

Sage brought in Fofana from Gent to Lyon and due to his influence, the 21-year-old decided to snub Sunderland and pick a move to Selhurst Park.

However, another twist came into the transfer saga of Fofana as it was suggested that the Black Cats are refusing to give in and looking to overtake Palace in the race.

They have now done so, with Fofana on his way to complete a move to the Stadium of Light.

According to French sports daily L’Equipe, Sunderland offered Fofana’s agents much bigger commission than the Eagles get the player on board on a move to the Stadium of Light.

Crystal Palace and Sunderland both made arrangements for the 21-year-old to fly in for a medical and he has now taken off to join the Black Cats.

Now it remains to be seen whether there are any more twists left in the tug of war between Palace and Sunderland for his signature.

The Black Cats have agreed a fee in the region of £30m with Lyon for the transfer of the player.

Sunderland were also looking to sign Igor Paixao from Marseille but on Monday it was suggested that they are unlikely to pursue a deal for him.

Now all eyes are on whether Sunderland can get what would be an impressive capture over the line.