Paixao scores twice against Strasbourg, OM ready to sell him for €40m

Igor Paixao shone Friday night at the Vélodrome during Olympique de Marseille’s 4-0 victory over Strasbourg in the opening match of Ligue 1’s first day, but his future at the club remains highly uncertain: according to La Provence, Marseille’s management has set his sale price at €40 million.

The Brazilian winger, signed last summer from Feyenoord for €30 million, was one of the main architects of this decisive success, alongside Amine Gouiri, who scored twice. A performance that contrasts sharply with the club’s financial situation, forced to sell to ease its wage bill — a reality publicly recalled by new head coach Bruno Genesio after the match.

Both Paixao and Gouiri are among the players likely to leave Marseille before the summer transfer window closes. For the 24-year-old winger, Marseille’s decision-makers would have already opened the door to a departure, provided a satisfactory offer materializes.

Analyst Walid Acherchour summed up the Marseille paradox after the match: “Paixao is essential to Olympique de Marseille. You can feel that with proper preparation and Greenwood’s departure, he is taking on the offensive animation of OM on his shoulders.” Before adding: “If an offer of €45 or €50 million arrives, they will let him go… Yet, he is the one who must not leave! That is OM’s challenge in this final stretch of the transfer window.”

OM thus finds itself in a delicate position: the player in best form in its squad at the start of the season is also the one the club could sacrifice for budgetary reasons, barely hours after a convincing display.