Igor Paixao breaks silence on failed £35m Sunderland transfer move and his true preference

Igor Paixao has addressed his collapsed £35 million transfer to Sunderland, explaining that he chose to stay at Marseille to help his team amid squad restrictions. The Brazilian winger stated that although his club placed players on the transfer list, he did not want to leave because Marseille would be unable to sign replacements.

After talks stalled, Sunderland completed a permanent £31 million deadline-day move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana instead. However, Paixao revealed that playing in the Premier League remains a dream and refused to rule out a future move to England.