Deadline day usually throws up one or two surprises – but not often one like this.
The day, for Malick Fofana, started with Arsenal, on the hunt for a left winger, registering their interest. It ended with him signing for Sunderland.
And it had plenty in between. The former Lyon man would eventually move to the Black Cats in a deal worth around £30.6million, though changed his mind more than once.
It became clear pretty early on on deadline day that Arsenal were going to pull out of a deal due to the price tag, which allowed Sunderland to swoop and agree a deal.
Only Crystal Palace smelt blood. Manager Pierre Sage, who had worked with Fofana at Lyon, is believed to have led the charge, and Palace agreed the finances too.
Fofana found himself at Lyon airport with two private jets waiting for him – one belonging to Sunderland, and one belonging to Crystal Palace.
Then, in perhaps the most bizarre part of the story, Fofana underwent a medical for both sides. That took place in Lyon, but both Palace and Sunderland had access.
By that point, Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus had flown to Lyon to try and personally persuade Fofana to pick his side.
Sunderland were also looking at moving for Dodi Lukebakio, but he later opted to stay put at Benfica.
Eventually, with a little over an hour to go until the deadline, Fofana chose Sunderland, having changed his mind a number of times, and set off.
Sunderland were still forced to submit a deal sheet to get the move over the line, with the transfer announced officially at 12:15am.
To wrap it up, the Black Cats captioned his signing video: ‘It was always Sunderland.’ It, most certainly, was not.
FOFANA TRANSFER TIMELINE
9:10am: Arsenal make interest in potential move known
10:04am: Gunners pull out of a potential move, citing the price tag as the reason why
10:47am: Sunderland agree a deal with Lyon to sign Fofana
1:00pm: Crystal Palace make their move, contacting Fofana directly
3:18pm: Palace agree a deal with Lyon as Sunderland enter negotiations for Dodi Lukebakio
3:40pm: Fofana, undecided on who he wants to join, waits at Lyon airport with private jets headed for Sunderland and south London also present
8:24pm: Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus flies to Lyon to try and convince Fofana to pick the Black Cats, before talks over a move for Lukebakio end
9:50pm: Fofana finally picks Sunderland, ending Crystal Palace’s hopes of a move
10:54pm: Sunderland submit a deal sheet to get an extension to complete the deal
12:15am: Sunderland finally announce Fofana as their player
Credit: dailymail.com
