'It was crazy' - Sunderland used 'unsavoury' means to agree last-ditch signing
Malick Fofana was not given a choice as Sunderland and Crystal Palace battled for his signature, sources have told Football Insider.
The 21-year-old was involved in undoubtably the most high-profile deal of deadline day, with the two Premier League clubs going head-to-head to land his signature.
Sunderland agreed a deal with Lyon, which was hijacked by Crystal Palace, before both clubs upped their offers following medical tests and two private jets waiting in France.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, the deal quickly turned "unsavoury" with Fofana's family members taking a cut of the deal.
The growing influence of the player's agents and outside interference ultimately had more of an impact on the move than the player himself as he was left in no-man's-land.
Sunderland are now keen to put the deadline-day drama behind them after confirming a £30million deal, but questions continue to be asked about the agreement.
How did Sunderland win the race for Malick Fofana?
Football Insider revealed on 4 September that Sunderland are delighted to have won the race for Fofana after beating Crystal Palace despite a close-run race.
After reaching an agreement with Lyon earlier in the day, the Black Cats made a strong proposal to the player and his representatives and got the deal over the line.
Despite reports that Crystal Palace had offered a higher fee to Lyon, his decision to join Sunderland was ultimately made by those advising him.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It was crazy. He obviously ended up going to Sunderland. They're pretty happy with that deal.
"Got him around £30million, which is a decent deal in that one. But there's other elements to the deal as well, I think, which were a bit unsavoury.
"There has been a lot of talk that some family members were looking for more money out of Crystal Palace for him to go to Selhurst Park, but Sunderland eventually offered more.
"I don't think the player really knew where he was coming or going in that respect, and he didn't have a lot of say in it, it seems.
"But look, Sunderland have got the deal done now and now the dust will settle, and Fofana will be a very good addition to Regis Le Bris' side."
What have Crystal Palace said about Fofana?
Football Insider exclusively revealed ahead of deadline day that Crystal Palace and Sunderland were going head-to-head for Fofana after he became available at Lyon.
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has since confessed his side did everything they could to secure the deal for his former player, but ultimately Fofana preferred Sunderland.
Fofana played under Sage during his time at Lyon, and the boss was believed to have contacted him on deadline day in an attempt to lure him to Selhurst Park.
However, the further details of the deal behind the scenes seemed to include money paid to the player's uncle, alongside ever-increasing agents' fees.