Sunderland pushing for Lyon winger Malick Fofana as alternative to Marseille’s Igor Paixão | OneFootball

Sunderland AFC have turned their focus towards signing Lyon winger Malick Fofana (21) given the Black Cats are making little to no progress with Marseille to sign Brazilian winger Igor Paixaõ (26), according to Foot Mercato. The former PSV striker has already agreed to join Regis Le Bris’ Premier League side. Both Marseille and Lyon need to sell players before the end of the summer trasnfer window, as they failed to qualify for the lucrative Champions League.

Les Gones are expected to part ways with Fofana, who is reportedly of interest for AS Roma and Hull City. The Tigers have submitted a €35m verbal bid. Sunderland previously identified Marseille’s Paixão to bolster Le Bris’ options, but negotiations with OM are proving difficult.

Marseille’s Sporting Director Grégory Lorenzi said that, although Marseille need to sell players, they may not have enough time and funds to adequatly replace Paixão. The standstill in negotiations shifted Sunderland’s focus towards an alternative target in Lyon’s Fofana.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval