Igor Paixão: Genesio fears a damaging Marseille exit

Bruno Genesio is struggling to accept the likely departure of Igor Paixão to Sunderland, with less than a week remaining in the summer transfer window. The Marseille coach sees the Brazilian winger’s potential exit as a major blow to the club’s ambitions, especially because no new arrival has yet replaced the attacking influence he could lose.

Paixão, a 26-year-old left winger, was Marseille’s standout performer during pre-season and became the main attacking outlet in Genesio’s system. His importance was underlined by the team’s 4-0 victory over Strasbourg at the Stade Vélodrome in the opening match of the championship. Losing him now would force Marseille to reassess an attacking structure that had begun the campaign positively.

Genesio had accepted before taking the job that Marseille would need substantial financial adjustments, including player departures and reduced recruitment ambitions. That understanding has been tested by the exits of Geronimo Rulli, Facundo Medina and Mason Greenwood, followed by the expected loss of Paixão. The coach and his staff have worked on several possible reinforcements, but the incoming column remains empty. With Paixão’s future unresolved and the market closing soon, tension is rising at Marseille, while sporting director Grégory Lorenzi has become less communicative with agents.