According to L'Équipe, Metali's transfer to Sunderland was close to completion, but the deal suddenly stalled after he underwent a medical examination on Tuesday. Sunderland stated that they found an anomaly in the 20-year-old left-back's back during the medical and believed that this issue could pose a significant health risk, which became the biggest point of contention between the English club and Toulouse.

Previously, Toulouse and Sunderland had reached an agreement on the transfer, with a fixed transfer fee of 28 million euros, plus a floating bonus of 2 million to 5 million euros. Both clubs had confirmed the terms of the deal, and Metali therefore traveled to England on Tuesday for a routine medical examination before signing.

However, the medical results changed everything.

According to L'Équipe, Sunderland's medical team found an abnormality in Metali's back during the examination and believed that this could pose a potential risk. The English side offered two options: if the player continued to play, he might face the risk of further exacerbation of the injury; if he accepted treatment, he would be expected to be out of action for about 6 weeks.

However, the medical team of Toulouse Football Club held a completely different view. In the opinion of the team doctor, Metali's physical condition had been discovered previously, but it was a minor and benign anomaly and would not affect the player's normal participation in matches. This divergence in medical judgment became the main reason for the deadlock in negotiations between the two parties.

Facing the different conclusions of the two medical teams, Sunderland subsequently launched a further investigation. The English club first communicated with the Toulouse medical team, and the Toulouse team doctor confirmed to Sunderland that Metali had no special health problems and that his current situation was not worrying.

Subsequently, Sunderland consulted a back specialist in Paris and submitted Metali's relevant examination data and X-rays to them. According to L'Équipe, the specialist's judgment supported Toulouse's view, believing that the player's physical condition had no issues requiring special attention.

However, while waiting for more medical opinions, Sunderland chose to postpone the previously proposed offer and hoped to gain more time for evaluation.

At the same time, Sunderland also tried to change the transaction method. According to L'Équipe, Sunderland contacted Toulouse chairman Olivier Cloarec and proposed a loan-plus-optional-buyout plan.

But this proposal was rejected by Toulouse. The Ligue 1 club wanted to sell Metali directly and immediately receive the transfer revenue agreed upon in the original agreement, rather than accepting a loan.

Toulouse also suspected that the player's entourage might have made additional financial demands, thereby complicating the deal, but Sunderland has firmly denied this.

After the deal encountered twists and turns, Metali returned to Toulouse on Tuesday evening. He had originally planned to train individually on Wednesday, but after communicating with club chairman Olivier Cloarec, the club decided to temporarily reduce his training intensity, with training expected to resume on Thursday.

Previously, to avoid risks, Metali had missed Toulouse's warm-up matches against Al Ain and Elche, but he had still participated in the training camp in Spain with the team.

If this deal ultimately fails, it will be a serious financial blow for Toulouse. The club had originally relied on this income to achieve its annual financial balance. They had previously sent Charley Cresswell to Rennes on a loan deal of 2.5 million euros plus a mandatory buyout clause of 22.5 million euros. Now, there is still great uncertainty as to whether Metali's transfer can be successfully completed.

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