Sunderland have made an offer to Marseille to sign their Brazilian attacker Igor Paixão in the coming days of the summer transfer window.
Sunderland are making an exciting transfer push to sign Marseille winger Igor Paixão in the coming days of the summer window.
Reports emerged on Wednesday that Sunderland have made a bid to Marseille for Paixão, with journalist Matteo Moretto outlining on X that the Black Cats are nearing an agreement with the French giants, with a fee of £25.7m plus £4.3m in bonuses on the table for the attacker.
Before that, Sky Sports News' North East football reporter Keith Downie confirmed that Sunderland are attempting to sign the 26-year-old wideman, and that talks are continuing between the two clubs.
Paixão himself appears to be open to the Premier League move, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano detailing on X that "Sunderland have reached verbal agreement on personal terms" with the former Feyenoord star.
For both clubs, the prospective transfer of Paixão solves seperate issues. Marseille's financial hardship and subsequent threat of relegation means that they need to raise funds via player sales.
From a Sunderland perspective, the Black Cats are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements in wide areas, with Downie adding that the Stadium of Light hierarchy view Paixão as an alternative option to long-term target Geny Catamo of Sporting CP.
When analysing what Brazilian Paixão would bring to Sunderland's squad, it is clear to see why the Black Cats are utilising the Marseille financial aspect to their advantage and making a play for the phenomenal talent.
Igor Paixao before Olympique de Marseille v RC Strasbourg (REUTERS)Why Sunderland Want To Sign Marseille Winger Igor Paixão
Paixão's prominent position is on the left flank of attack, with him being a naturally right-footed player, but the Marseille man is also more than comfortable operating on the right wing.
Sunderland have been hunting for a marquee addition to Le Bris' wide attacking options throughout the summer transfer window, with their push for Sporting winger Catamo stalling and the earlier push for Roma winger Matias Soule failing to progress.
Paixão would be an instant upgrade on either wing for Le Bris, with the pacey and direct Brazilian boasting a proven record of goals and assists, which proves to be a problem area for the Sunderland boss.
Last season, Paixão scored 12 goals and notched six assists in 42 outings for Marseille in his debut campaign for the French giants, with a stellar return of four goals and one assist from eight outings within their Champions League endeavours.
The potential £30m capture of the Marseille star would instantly raise the standards of Le Bris' options on the wing, with both Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo failing to nail down a consistent starting role since their respective arrivals on Wearside.
Paixão's proven output and experience at the elite level of European football would be an extremely exciting and important boost to Sunderland, and now the Black Cats faithful must wait to see if the move materialises.
