Toulouse confirmed Dayann Methalie’s departure to Sunderland in August, bringing a completed outcome to The Guardian’s 28 July report of advanced interest. The selling club’s announcement records 27 matches and 22 starts during his breakthrough season, alongside two goals and two assists.
The Guardian reported an expected fee of about £26m and a verbally agreed five-year contract in July. Those commercial terms are attributed to the newspaper. Toulouse’s announcement establishes the destination and appearance record, so the fee and contract term remain reported details rather than club-confirmed terms.
Almost Signed analysis: subtracting 22 starts from 27 appearances leaves five substitute appearances. His appearances therefore mainly came as a starter, rather than from bench cameos. That is a useful distinction when assessing a young defender’s breakthrough season; the counts do not reveal his total minutes or establish that every start was in the same position.
The Guardian described Methalie as able to operate on the left or centrally and noted potential competition from Reinildo at Sunderland. His starting record at Toulouse provides context for that competition, but cannot settle it. The move changes club, league and teammates, so the previous selection pattern should be treated as evidence of his background rather than a promise of a particular Sunderland role.
What remains unconfirmed
- Toulouse’s announcement does not confirm the July reported fee or five-year contract term.
Corrections
- Source check, 13 October 2026: Toulouse’s announcement supersedes the pending-agreement status; the source set no longer rests entirely on the Guardian.