Sunderland beat Newcastle to £26m Methalie signing from Toulouse

Sunderland are poised to sign France Under-21s defender Dayann Methalie from Toulouse for around £26m on a five-year deal, per The Guardian. Newcastle scouted the 20-year-old extensively and tried to sign him in January but did not bid this summer. Sunderland can offer Europa League football next season — Newcastle cannot.