Sunderland have agreed a £25.6m fee to sign left-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse. The 20-year-old French defender is expected to undergo a medical after a verbal agreement was reached for an initial £23.9m, with a further £1.7m in potential add-ons.

Methalie made 28 appearances for Toulouse in Ligue 1 last season, scoring twice in his final three games. The deal follows a prolonged pursuit by Regis Le Bris' side as Sunderland look to strengthen their defence before their Premier League campaign begins at Ipswich Town next Saturday.

The Black Cats will also compete in Europe for the first time in 53 years and are looking to add greater depth to their squad. Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier remains the only other completed transfer so far in the window.