Sunderland fight back to hijack Malick Fofana from Crystal Palace

Sunderland have made a dramatic late attempt to turn the Malick Fofana transfer saga back in their favour after Crystal Palace appeared to have won the race for the Lyon winger.

The 21-year-old had been expected to undergo a medical with Palace after Pierre Sage personally helped convince him to choose Selhurst Park.

However, Sunderland have refused to concede defeat. Fresh reports from France and Belgium now claim the Black Cats have regained the advantage by significantly increasing the commissions being offered to Fofana's representatives.

According to L'Equipe journalist Hugo Guillemet, Sunderland have reopened the situation by presenting considerably better financial terms to the player's agents.

Fofana and his representatives are already in London, but they have reportedly stopped providing updates to Crystal Palace.

That is particularly significant because the winger was expected to undergo his Palace medical on Deadline Day.

The examination has apparently not taken place as scheduled, creating another opening for Sunderland.

It is the latest development in an extraordinary battle involving several Premier League clubs.

Fofana initially appeared to be heading towards Arsenal, who had entered concrete negotiations for the Belgium international.

Sunderland then accelerated their pursuit.

The Black Cats reportedly reached a €30million agreement and convinced Fofana to travel to the North East for a medical.

Before he could complete the transfer, Palace intervened.

The Eagles launched a hijack attempt and appeared to successfully convince Fofana to change his plans, with Sage personally speaking to the winger about his role at Selhurst Park.

Reports subsequently suggested Palace had an agreement in place and were preparing for his medical.

That is when Sunderland responded again.

Sunderland's improved proposal to Fofana's representatives appears to have changed the situation once more.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri goes even further, reporting that the parties involved have now been informed that Fofana will join Sunderland.

If confirmed, it would represent a remarkable turnaround after Palace appeared to have taken control of the transfer only hours earlier.

For Sunderland, Fofana has emerged as a major attacking target during the closing stages of the window after difficulties in their pursuit of Marseille winger Igor Paixão.

The Lyon attacker would provide another dynamic wide option for Régis Le Bris as Sunderland strengthen following their return to the Premier League.

With the deadline approaching, however, the medical, paperwork and registration still need to be completed before this increasingly unpredictable saga can finally be considered over.

Sunderland appear to have regained control, but the repeated changes throughout Deadline Day mean nothing can be considered final until Fofana completes his medical and signs the necessary documents.

Palace must decide whether to respond with another attempt of their own, while Sunderland face a race against time to turn their latest breakthrough into a completed transfer.