Sunderland complete Fofana signing after dramatic saga

Sunderland have finally completed the signing of Lyon winger Malick Fofana after a dramatic Deadline Day transfer saga involving two private jets and the player changing his mind multiple times. <p>Sunderland agreed a deal to sign Fofana on Deadline Day morning but Crystal Palace - whose manager Pierre Sage worked with him before at Lyon - tried to hijack the deal.</p><p>With both Premier League clubs agreeing a deal with Lyon for the winger, Fofana was then sat at Lyon airport, with two private jets waiting on him to make a decision. One plane was set for Sunderland, the other was set for London.</p><ul><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp" target="_blank"><strong>Transfer Centre LIVE!</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/Sundblogarticles" target="_blank"><strong>Sunderland news & transfers</strong></a>\ud83d\udd34\u26aa</li><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/Sunderlandscores" target="_blank"><strong>Sunderland fixtures & scores</strong></a> <strong>| </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/FreePLHighlightsFirst" target="_blank"><strong>FREE Sunderland highlights</strong></a>\u25b6\ufe0f</li><li><strong>Got Sky? </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchPremarticles" target="_blank"><strong>Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone</strong></a>\ud83d\udcf1</li><li><strong>Not got Sky? </strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>Latest Sky Sports deals</strong></a><strong> or </strong><a href="https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports/football/premier-league?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>stream PL games with no contract</strong></a>\ud83d\udcfa</li></ul><p>Fofana also took one medical in Lyon on Deadline Day that both teams had access to.</p><p>But just over an hour to go until the deadline, Fofana eventually chose Sunderland with Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus travelling to Lyon to convince the player to join.</p><p>Fofana's move to Sunderland consists of an initial \u00a325.7m with \u00a35.14m in add-ons.</p><p>Arsenal were also considering a move for Fofana over the weekend but did not make a move for the player.</p><widget id="3"></widget><h3>How a dramatic Deadline Day panned out</h3><p><strong>10:47am: </strong>After Arsenal did not take up the chance to sign Fofana, Sunderland agreed a deal with Lyon for the winger worth up to \u00a330m.</p><p><strong>1:01pm:</strong> Crystal Palace try to hijack Sunderland's five-year deal for Fofana by entering in direct communication with the player in an attempt to convince him to join them.</p><p><strong>3:18pm:</strong> Crystal Palace agree a deal with Lyon for Fofana. Sunderland begin talks with fellow Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio on top of the Fofana deal.</p><p><strong>3.42pm:</strong> Fofana is at Lyon airport with two private jets waiting on him to make a decision - one bound for Sunderland and another for London.</p> <widget id="2"></widget><p><strong>8:24pm:</strong> Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus visits Lyon to try and persuade Fofana to choose Sunderland over Palace. The player effectively undergoes one medical for both teams.</p><p><strong>9:38pm:</strong> Sunderland's attempts to sign Benfica's Lukebakio end as a decision is made for him to remain with the Portuguese club.</p><p><strong>9:50pm:</strong> Fofana gives Sunderland the green light after changing his mind multiple times throughout the day. The price of the deal rises to \u00a330.8m.</p><p><strong>10:54pm:</strong> Sunderland submit a deal sheet to get the Fofana deal over the line.</p><p><strong>12:15am:</strong> Sunderland announce the Fofana deal</p>