‘Igor Paixao transfer update as Leeds present project to winger’s camp’
Leeds have presented their project to Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao as they look to beat off strong competition for his services this summer.
Leeds marched on to the Championship title last season in superb form, as Daniel Farke’s side picked up 100 points across the campaign to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Their step-up to the top-flight is set to be a challenging one, but boss Farke has recently moved to seal the free signing of Wolfsburg forward Lukas Nmecha to bolster his Leeds squad, and more attacking arrivals are expected soon.
Football Insider understand Farke has £150million to splash this summer, and recent reports have claimed that Leeds are interested in £33m-rated winger Paixao alongside Brighton, Marseille and Napoli.
The Times (5 June) have also reported that Arsenal are interested in signing Paixao this summer, but the Gunners are closing in on a move for Noni Madueke, and new developments have now emerged in Leeds’ pursuit of the Feyenoord wide-man.
Leeds approach Igor Paixao’s representatives
Paixao registered 16 goals and 10 assists in 34 Eredivisie appearances last term, so it is understandable as to why he is a man in demand across Europe this summer.
Leeds moved to hand Dan James a new contract earlier this week, but Farke wants to keep improving his options in attack as they step up their interest in the Brazilian winger.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s chief football writer, Graham Smyth, has reported that Leeds presented their project to Paixao’s camp this week, and they are in talks about a possible transfer move.
He states that the 25-year-old remains a target for Ligue 1 side Marseille, so the Whites will seemingly not have a straightforward path to bringing him in this summer.
Paixao would be a stellar signing for Leeds
Football Insider verdict
Paixao is a potential signing for Leeds fans to get excited about, and their minds will be cast back to the last time they signed a Brazilian winger from the continent, with Raphinha going on to be a cult hero at the club after his 2020 move from Rennes.
The 25-year-old has been a key man for Feyenoord since he joined them in 2022 from Coritiba in his native Brazil, and he has racked up a decent amount of goal contributions at the club while also experiencing life in both the Europa League and Champions League.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 129 | 39 | 29 |
His recent impressive exploits saw him win the Dutch Footballer of the Year award for 2024/25, and signing him would pretty clearly be a massive statement of intent by the Whites, especially considering the teams that have also been linked with a move.
Paixao is a left-winger by trade, which is a position they need to recruit in after Manor Solomon returned to Tottenham from his loan spell, while his versatility will also massively appeal to Farke, as he can feature on the right side of the attack or as a number 10.
He would be a stellar signing for Leeds as they prepare to return to the Premier League, but whether he accepts their proposals and joins the club ahead of other interested sides remains uncertain.