Sources: Leeds United well placed for Igor Paixao as 'deal could now be done'
Leeds United have been placed on alert as Marseille may be forced to sell Igor Paixao amid financial concerns, sources have told Football Insider.
The 26-year-old has been a long-term target at Elland Road after they made attempts to bring him in during the summer window, as well as they year before in 2025.
While their previous efforts have proved unsuccessful as the winger has instead opted to remain at Marseille, but he has recently hinted at a potential departure in 2027.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Marseille's situation could force them into selling key players and Leeds are primed to take advantage.
Paixao, meanwhile, has endured a difficult start to the season with the Ligue 1 outfit and has failed to score or provide an assist and has cut a frustrated figure.
That has led to reports in France claiming he could soon be made available, and Leeds are likely to be placed on high alert with scouts keeping tabs on his performances.
Could Leeds make a move for Igor Paixao?
Football Insider revealed back in August that Leeds were considring a late move to sign Paixao, but his £40million price tag would prove prohibative in their attempts.
However, the Whites have not given up hope of one day luring the forward to Elland Road, and are now believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation in Marseille.
Paixao recently confessed that he could be prepared to leave the club, if not in January then next summer, and given Marseille's situation, Leeds could finally do a deal.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Leeds will be monitoring that situation at Marseille to see if there's any players that they can prize away due to their financial predicament.
"As you said, Paixao has been a player that Leeds have been tracking for the last couple of windows, but they haven't been able to obviously get a deal done for him.
"But maybe if Marseille's asking price drops for Paixao in the upcoming transfer windows, then potentially a deal could be done.
"I don't see anything happen in January because I just think that Marseille won't want to lose such a key player midway through the season and his price tag will probably be a bit high as well.
"But maybe next summer if Leeds are still interested, then that raises the possibility that they could make a new move for the winger."
What is Daniel Farke's new priority at Leeds United?
Leeds' renewed interest in Paixao comes alongside ongoing plans to strengthen Daniel Farke's squad in key positions as they build towards achieving their ambitious goals.
Despite what has been a strong start to the season at Elland Road, there is a belief that they failed to strengthen their squad adequately and are now planning for the January window.
Football Insider revealed on 14 October that Farke is pushing Leeds to sign a new striker in the mid-season window to provide competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The German boss is understood to be keen to build as many forward options as possible in order to strengthen his team for the remainder of the season.
Paixao is being eyed as one of those options, while a number of centre-forwards have been assessed by the Leeds recruitment team and they are now ready to act.