Crystal Palace are working to hijack Sunderland’s move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana.Earlier on Tuesday, Sunderland reached an agreement to sign the Belgium international in a deal worth in excess of €30million (£25.7m) including bonuses. Palace have now agreed the same deal with Lyon.Palace manager Pierre Sage, who previously coached Lyon between 2023 and 2025 when Fofana was signed by the Ligue 1 side, was keen as key to the London team entering the race for the 21-year-old’s signature.Fofana had been granted permission to travel to undergo a medical ahead of signing a five-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, at Sunderland before Palace’s intervention.On Monday, Arsenal were weighing up a move for Fofana, who had been on the club’s radar and had spoken with manager Mikel Arteta.Fofana has recorded two goals in six appearances for Lyon this season, netting in the second leg of the Champions League play-off defeat to Fenerbahce and the season-opening 2-0 Ligue 1 win against Toulouse. He has scored 19 goals in 83 appearances for the French side over two-and-a-half years.Last summer, Chelsea made a verbal enquiry for him and Everton held talks over a possible move.Having represented Belgium up to under-21 level, Fofana made his senior international debut in October 2024, his first of five caps. He scored his first goal at senior international level in September’s 6-0 World Cup qualifying win against Liechtenstein, but was not named in their squad for this summer’s tournament.The winger emerged through Gent’s academy in his native Belgium, making his senior debut in July 2022. He went on to play 64 games for the club, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists, before joining Lyon for €17million in January 2024.Fofana could replace lost spark at PalaceAnalysis by Crystal Palace correspondent Matt WoosnamPalace’s attack has been shown up as a concern without Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, so, regardless of whether this has implications for the future of Sarr, bringing in Fofana would be an excellent way to strengthen.Although Palace play with No 10s, Fofana would still fit the profile given Sage wants his attackers to move the ball wider more quickly.Having played under Sage at Lyon, if this deal is completed, then he should be able to come in and make an impact sooner, with less time required to at least adapt to the style of play.They are missing that individual brilliance and technical quality that players such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise brought previously, but Fofana would bring that. At 21, there is also the potential for him to develop into a player who in future years could be sold for a significant profit as is Palace’s recruitment strategy.Where does this leave Arsenal?Analysis by Arsenal correspondent James McNicholasArsenal had explored a possible deal for Fofana, and a conversation took place between the player and Arteta. Ultimately, however, Arsenal were unwilling to meet Lyon’s asking price.It leaves the Premier League champions looking somewhat short on the left-hand side. They have sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and Gabriel Martinelli is expected to join Al Hilal later on Tuesday.Thus far, they have only brought in Christos Tzolis. Time is running out to source another left winger.Eze was brought on in that role in Monday night’s match at Villa Park. Perhaps, should Arsenal fail to make another attacking signing, Arteta plans to deploy the England international on the left moving forward.