Sunderland reach verbal agreement with Marseille winger Igor Paixão

Sunderland reach verbal agreement with Marseille winger Igor Paixão Sunderland AFC are reported to have reached a verbal agreement with Olympique de Marseille’s Igor Paixão (26), according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Whilst no agreement has yet been reached between the two clubs – with OM having notably rejected an initial bid from the Black Cats – talks are continuing with a view to finalising the transfer of the Brazilian winger. Having joined the Marseille side from Feyenoord for €30m last summer, the Macapá-born player enjoyed a convincing first season on French soil, scoring six goals and providing six assists in 30 Ligue 1 matches (with 12 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions). However, despite all the promise surrounding him, Paixão remains a player whom Marseille are likely to look to offload in the final days of the transfer window, as the club is forced to reduce its wage bill to meet the requirements of UEFA and FIFA. A delicate situation that could well result in the sale of one of the most marketable players in the Marseille squad. GFFN  |  Léo Aschi