Paixao finally retained by OM after rejecting Sunderland's €40m offer

Igor Paixao will likely not leave Olympique de Marseille this summer. According to commentator Daniel Riolo, the situation has shifted dramatically in just a few days: while his departure seemed certain on Friday, the Brazilian winger’s stay now appears to be the most probable scenario before the summer transfer window closes on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

OM rejected a €40 million offer from Sunderland for the 25-year-old player. This amount was nonetheless higher than the €35 million (bonuses included) spent by the Marseille club last summer to recruit the former Feyenoord player — a sum that was then the highest incoming transfer in Marseille’s history.

Head coach Bruno Genesio’s position weighed heavily in the decision. The manager made it clear to his board that he absolutely wanted to keep Paixao, a message that appears to have been heard. “On Friday, we were 100% sure that Paixao was going to leave OM,” Riolo said on RMC. “Today, we’re rather on a trend where he won’t move.”

The financial context made the matter tricky nonetheless. Owner Frank McCourt is still looking to reduce the club’s wage bill by selling two or three players before the transfer window closes, and Paixao represents the highest market value in the squad. Despite this economic pressure, the OM board appears to have decided in favour of sporting considerations.