Sunderland plot last-minute deal for £30m-rated Fofana alternative amid hijack fears

Sunderland supporters have found themselves on something of a rollercoaster already on transfer deadline day. Having been poised to secure the signing of talented Lyon winger Malick Fofana, it emerged that Crystal Palace were in the process of attempting to hijack that deal at the very last minute – but at least it now appears that the Black Cats may have a back-up plan in place.

With the deal for Fofana very much in doubt, it now appears as though Sunderland are launching a last-ditch bid for Benfica and Belgium winger Dodi Lukébakio, who made three appearances at the 2026 World Cup. But will they be able to get a deal over the line in time?

Could Sunderland sign Dodi Lukébakio on transfer deadline day?

The story linking Sunderland with Lukébakio comes from transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who claims that talks are underway with Benfica in the hopes of securing a deal with just hours to spare before the transfer window closes at 23:00 BST.

The 28-year-old right winger is said to have “opened the door” to a move which would bring a somewhat frustrating stint in Portugal to an end – he managed just one goal in 26 appearances for Benfica after signing from Sevilla last summer.

While he may have struggled to find his best form at his current club, his track record was strong enough to secure a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad – ahead of Fofana, the 21-year-old who Sunderland had agreed to sign before Crystal Palace launched their own late bid.

Lukébakio had a highly impressive scoring record both at Sevilla and at previous club Hertha Berlin, and may well add some of the sharpness that Sunderland have been lacking in the final third – assuming that he signs, with negotiations likely to be fraught given how late in the day talks have begun.

Tavolieri doesn’t discuss the likely transfer fee, although other sources suggest that Benfica are demanding around £30m for the Belgian – which explains why negotiations with Besiktas broke down over the last week or so. The Turkish side reportedly made an offer in the region of £17m, which was deemed insufficient but has handed Sunderland the opportunity to pounce.

Personal terms seem unlikely to be an issue so much will hinge on the success of club-to-club talks – and, perhaps, on whether Palace pull off their late bid for Fofana.

Will Sunderland still be able to sign Fofana?

It’s not clear whether Sunderland’s bid for Lukébakio is in addition to their bid for Fofana or whether he is being lined up as an alternative to his compatriot should that deal ultimately fall through.

Sunderland reportedly agreed a transfer fee in the region of £30m for Fofana and the 21-year-old was set to put pen to paper on a five-year deal after completing a medical at the Stadium of Light, but Crystal Palace have reportedly outbid Sunderland at the last minute, throwing the deal into doubt.

Sunderland’s hopes of signing Fofana aren’t over yet, and it may well be that negotiations over Lukébakio only progress if that deal fails to stick – or it may be that both wingers are signed, with the Black Cats keen to add creativity and threat to an attack which struggled during the 2025/26 season despite the team’s impressive finish.

The move for Lukébakio suggests that some of Sunderland’s other targets are now deemed out of reach, however. They have already failed with initial bids for Jack Grealish – who is set to rejoin Everton instead – and Sporting’s Geny Catamo, while negotiations over Marseille’s Igor Paixão appear to have reached an impasse.

With just hours remaining in the transfer window and the deal for Fofana in the balance, Lukébakio might now be Sunderland’s last best chance of landing the winger they desperately need to stay competitive in the Premier League.