Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris is looking to add more quality to his options at the top end of the pitch before the summer transfer window slams shut on Tuesday night.
The Black Cats have only made three additions to their squad since they qualified for the Europa League upon their return to the Premier League, and all three of them are defensive players.
They have brought in right-back Thomas Meunier, left-back Dayann Methalie, and defensive midfielder Jules Ahoka to strengthen the manager’s ranks across various defensive positions.
There is still work to do to improve the attack before the deadline, now, and one player who they need to find an upgrade on is Chemsdine Talbi.
Why Sunderland need an upgrade on Chemsdine Talbi
The Morocco international has shown flashes of quality since his £18m move from Club Brugge last year, but the lack of consistency in his game is preventing him from being a regular starter.
He only started 16 times in the Premier League in the 2025/26 campaign and racked up four goals and one assist in his 28 appearances in total in the division.
Whilst a return of four goals in 16 starts is far from a horrendous return for a young player in their first season in England, Talbi’s all-round play was not at a high enough level on a consistent basis to justify being a regular starter.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Chemsdine Talbi |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
28 |
|
Goals |
4 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Key passes per game |
0.4 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
36% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
7% |
|
Dribble success rate |
44% |
The 21-year-old talent lost the majority of his duels on the ground and in the air, struggling with the physicality of the division, and did not create a single ‘big chance’ for his teammates.
Sunderland, therefore, need to find a winger who can offer more to the team both from a physical and creative perspective, so that Le Bris can have a consistent performer on the flank.
How Sunderland can sign an elite-level version of Talbi
The French boss could get exactly what he needs because the board are pursuing a player who would arrive at the Stadium of Light as an elite-level version of Talbi.
According to Foot Mercato in France, Sunderland have already agreed personal terms with Marseille forward Igor Paixao, as they look to strike a late window deal for the winger.
The reporter claims that the Black Cats have submitted an offer worth around £26m for the Brazilian attacker, and remain in talks with the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, Aouna reveals that Sunderland are also exploring alternative options to bolster their frontline because Marseille have been slow to respond to their advances.
The Black Cats must now press the Ligue 1 outfit for an answer to their offer for the winger because he would be a fantastic addition to le Bris’ squad this season.
Paixao’s form for Marseille in France in the 2025/26 campaign suggests that he has the consistency in the final third that Talbi lacks on the wing, whilst being able to play on the right or the left side of the attack.
|
25/26 season |
Paixao (L1) |
Talbi (PL) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
30 |
28 |
|
xG |
6.45 |
2.13 |
|
Goals |
6 |
4 |
|
Key passes per game |
1.0 |
0.4 |
|
Big chances created |
5 |
0 |
|
xA |
2.64 |
1.14 |
|
Assists |
5 |
1 |
The former Feyenoord star provided quality as both a scorer and a creator from a wide position for the French side, which is something Talbi failed to do for Sunderland.
He has proven that he can deliver consistent quality in one of Europe’s major leagues, hitting double figures for goals and assists combined in Ligue 1, which shows that the forward is an elite-level version of the Black Cats winger.
Paixao also caught the eye with his performances in the Champions League for Marseille. The 26-year-old whiz scored four goals and provided one assist in eight appearances in the competition.
He matched Talbi’s Premier League haul of goals and assists in eight outings in Europe’s premier cup competition, which speaks to the difference in quality between the two players.
Prior to signing for Marseille, the Brazilian ace also racked up 30 goals and 20 assists in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns combined for Feyenoord, showing that he has the potential to deliver outstanding consistency in the final third.
Talbi, meanwhile, has yet to reach double figures for goals or assists in a single season in his career, which suggests that Paixao would arrive on Wearside as a significant upgrade on him at the top end of the pitch.