Sunderland can offer Marseille’s Igor Paixão an escape route in January after failing to sign him in the summer window.

The Ligue 1 side paid around €35m to sign the forward from Feyenoord last summer and he impressed in his debut season, 12 goals and seven assists.

This had convinced Sunderland to make an attempt towards the end of August. In fact, the Black Cats tabled multiple offers but weren’t successful in bringing him to the Premier League.

Why Sunderland failed in summer 

In August, Sport Witness covered a report from France explaining that the 26-year-old agreed personal terms with Sunderland.

Last month, Marseille president Stéphane Richard explained his direct role in stopping the Brazilian’s sale despite the difficult financial situation.

He said: “I see my role as president as one that seeks to strike a balance among the various stakeholders.”

“Paixão, as I see it, is a great player. I felt it was my duty to stop the sale efforts, when the value of the sports project—this team’s ability to put on a quality show and attract large audiences, was truly threatened. I campaigned strongly for him to stay.”

Igor Paixão recently expressed his desire to leave Marseille in January or next summer, after revealing the Premier League dream.

New opportunity for Sunderland 

This season, Igor Paixão has two goals and an assist from seven league appearances and scored a goal each in the last two matches.

Foot Marseille now reports Régis Le Bris’ side attempting to sign him in January are ‘high’, after Marseille stopped his €30m move in the summer.

The Black Cats have one win and picked up five points after eight matches and are bottom of the table. Given the situation at the Stadium of Light, the English club could carry out new signings in the winter market.

Meanwhile, the French club have to raise funds to balance their books before June 30th. Paixão has already expressed his desire to leave.

These two conditions favour Sunderland to launch a new attempt to sign the attacker in the next window. The prospect of starting fresh at the Premier League side appeals to the player.

It’ll be down to the two clubs to find an agreement for the transfer. A potential advance from Sunderland would also depend on Paixão’s form from now until the end of this year.