Igor Paixao explains failed £35 million Sunderland move amid Marseille stance | OneFootball

Igor Paixao has outlined why a proposed move to Sunderland fell through late in the summer, saying he chose to remain with Marseille.

“I didn’t want to leave. I still don’t want to leave,” Paixao told Brazilian outlet Band.

“It was a bit intense, with the club putting all of the players on the transfer list. I chose to stay to help my team. We can’t recruit new players; there wouldn’t have been replacements.”

Sunderland pushed to sign the 26-year-old in the final days of the window, with talks advancing before Marseille decided to keep him. His valuation was around £35 million.

Sunderland then switched focus and landed Lyon winger Malick Fofana on deadline day, paying around £31 million after beating Crystal Palace to his signature.

There is currently no indication Sunderland plan to revive their interest.

Source: Sunderland Echo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”