Sunderland have received a potential boost in their pursuit of Marseille winger, with the Brazilian admitting that a move to the Premier League remains one of his biggest career ambitions.
The Black Cats pushed hard to sign the 26-year-old during the previous transfer window but ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Marseille decided to retain the winger because there was insufficient time to secure a suitable replacement before the window closed.
He accepted the French club’s decision to keep him, but his latest comments suggest that a future departure remains a possibility, potentially giving Sunderland another opportunity to secure his signature.
Speaking to Canal+ Foot, with his comments reported by SportWitness, Paixao explained why he remained at Marseille despite Sunderland’s strong interest during the summer.
The Brazilian felt that leaving so late in the transfer window would have created difficulties for Marseille, particularly after the club had already lost other players and would have faced a challenging search for replacements.
Nevertheless, he made his ambitions clear, admitting that playing in England’s top flight remains a personal dream.
“It’s also a dream to play in the Premier League,” Paixao revealed.
The winger was also asked whether he could leave Marseille during the January transfer window. However, he appeared uncertain about the possibility, pointing to the challenges associated with mid-season moves.
“Winter transfer window? I don’t know, it’s difficult because in January the teams are already formed,” he explained.
His comments about a potential summer departure were even more significant for Sunderland.
“There’s a better chance I will leave next summer,” Paixao added.
That admission could encourage the Black Cats to revive their interest when the next transfer window opens.
Why Sunderland could revisit the deal next summer
Sunderland were reportedly serious about signing Paixao during the summer, while reports indicated that the player was open to making the move to the Stadium of Light.
Although negotiations failed to produce an agreement, his latest remarks suggest that the possibility of joining a Premier League club has not disappeared.
A January transfer appears less likely, given Marseille’s reluctance to lose an important player midway through the campaign and Paixao’s own recognition of the difficulties surrounding winter business.
Next summer could provide a more realistic opportunity for all parties. Marseille would have additional time to identify a replacement, while Sunderland could prepare a suitable offer and negotiate without the same time pressure.
Paixao’s pace, direct approach, and ability to operate from the left flank could make him an attractive addition to Régis Le Bris’ squad as Sunderland look to strengthen their attacking options.
However, his comments do not confirm that a transfer to Sunderland will happen, and the club would still need to agree on financial terms with Marseille.
For now, Sunderland can take encouragement from the winger’s stated ambition to play in the Premier League. If their interest remains strong, a deal that proved difficult to complete in the summer could become a realistic target next year.
