Sunderland

Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Brazilian winger Igor Paixão, having reached an agreement on personal terms with the 26-year-old.

Journalist Santi Aouna reports that Sunderland have reached an agreement with the Marseille winger on personal terms. He also adds that the two clubs are now nearing an agreement for the Brazilian winger.

His information follows reports earlier today – which Sport Witness covered – explaining that Sunderland had made their move for the Marseille winger.

Sunderland progress

Reports had linked the Marseille star with a move to Leeds United for much of the summer. They also wanted him last summer before he moved to Marseille.

However, Daniel Farke’s side have now stepped away, with Sunderland at the front of the queue. That report explained that Marseille remain open to a sale to raise funds to comply with both UEFA and the DNCG in France.

While they don’t want to sell the Brazilian, their owner, Frank McCourt, has insisted that the Brazilian and other high earners need to be moved on. Sunderland appear to be taking advantage of that and, according to Aouna, a deal is now close.

With an agreement in place with the player and talks with Marseille progressing, the transfer certainly seems to be moving in one direction.

“Disaster”

Sunderland

The development is not going down well in Marseille, though. While their fans despair about the potential exit, Walid Acherchour has declared the possible sale a disaster.

“Right now, Paixao is Olympique de Marseille’s most in-form player, and you haven’t replaced Greenwood (who left for Fenerbahçe) because you can’t register a new player,” he said.

“He’s the kind of player who brings the thrill – the one who makes the difference.

“It would be a disaster to see Paixao leave Olympique de Marseille, and I think it could cause a rift with the fans. If you don’t bring in direct replacements for Paixao and Greenwood, it’s a disaster.”

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