Sunderland have agreed a deal worth just under £30m for Lyon winger Malick Fofana.
The 21-year-old is travelling to England for a medical and is expected to sign a five-year contract.
The deal for the Belgium forward will cost an initial £25.6m, with a potential £4.3m in add-ons.
Fofana is understood to be excited by the prospect of joining Sunderland before their first European campaign in 51 years, having qualified for the Europa League.
The move follows attempts by Arsenal to sign Fofana, but the Premier League champions were unable to agree a fee with Lyon.
Fofana began his career at KAA Gent before joining the Ligue 1 side in 2024.
He is set to join Kevin Danso at Sunderland, with the Austria defender due to arrive from Tottenham on an initial loan with an option to buy.
Sunderland have also signed defenders Thomas Meunier and Dayann Methalie, and midfielder Jules Ahoka, this summer after finishing seventh in their first season back in the top flight.
The Black Cats beat Fulham on Sunday after losing their opening match of the 2026-27 season at Ipswich.
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