Sunderland have been told to increase their offer for Igor Paixão, with Marseille now asking for €38m (£32.9m) to sell the Brazilian.
The Black Cats have already put €30m (£26m) on the table. Now ESPN Brazil report that proposal was rejected, and Marseille have since raised their asking price.
That gives us a clearer picture of what’s holding up a transfer which had appeared to be moving quickly earlier this week.
Marseille push Sunderland for another €8m
Sunderland have been working on Paixão’s signing for several days and have made him one of their priorities for the end of the window.
ESPN journalist Felipe Silva says the Premier League side have personal terms “well aligned” with the 26-year-old. Only small details remain to be sorted.
Crucially, Paixão wants the move to English football. The bigger issue is now the €8m (£6.9m) gap between the clubs.
Marseille rejected Sunderland’s €30m (£26m) proposal and are demanding €38m (£32.9m). ESPN also specifically state that the French club have increased their asking price during negotiations.
That is an interesting development given the situation in Marseille. French reports this week have repeatedly explained that owner Frank McCourt is pushing for further sales.
The club need to bring in money and reduce their wage bill before making additions of their own. Paixão is one of their most valuable assets, so Sunderland’s interest presents an obvious opportunity.
Marseille, though, clearly aren’t prepared to make it an easy one.
Sunderland now know what it will take
The €38m (£32.9m) figure also adds some clarity to conflicting reports from France.
RMC Sport had suggested Sunderland’s offer was some way short of Marseille’s demands, which they put at €40m (£34.6m). L’Equipe offered a different version, saying the bid was close to a figure McCourt would accept.
ESPN’s information lands somewhere between the two. There is still work to do, but the difference is now defined. Sunderland know Marseille’s price and have a player who wants to join them.
Bruno Génésio’s opposition to losing Paixão adds another layer. The Marseille manager wants to keep the winger, while McCourt has been pushing for sales.
For Sunderland, though, the immediate question is simpler. They have already gone to €30m (£26m), and Marseille are now asking them to find another €8m (£6.9m) to get the deal done.
