Leeds United beat Marseille in race for Feyenoord star

Niccolò Schira shared some exciting news for Leeds United fans in his latest transfer update. The Premier League starlet beat Marseille in the race for Igor Paixo. Feyenoord have accepted an offer of around €35 million (plus add-ons) for their winger ace Igor Paixo. Feyenoord is currently waiting for the other side to accept a five-year contract with the winger.

The 24-year-old Selecao star, who has represented his country at Under-23 level, progressed through the youth academy at Coritiba in his native country. While he eventually earned a first-team spot, a season on loan at Londrina helped him cement a regular spot at his boyhood club.

Why Leeds United need a prolific winger

Leeds United have Daniel James, Wilfried Gnoto and Lalgi Ramazani, who have contributed greatly to the team’s return to the English top flight. However, they must find a successor to Mano Solomon, especially after the Tottenham Hotspur striker’s incredible loan spell in West Yorkshire. He played as a left winger in 39 Championship games, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists. And with his outstanding performances in the Netherlands, Paishao should be able to achieve similar results under the guidance of Daniel Farke.

Farke holds a perfect promotion record, but he must not repeat the mistakes he made at Norwich City. The German manager will need to find the right balance between proven players and up-and-coming prospects on the pitch, and Leeds United’s transfer list should inspire the Elland Road faithful ahead of a turbulent season.

Rising under Arne Sloter

His emergence in the lower leagues of Brazil caught the eye of then-Feyenoord manager Arne Sloter. The Dutch giants spent €4.5 million to sign him, but the deal proved to be a bargain in the summer transfer market. Paixao was a huge success as soon as he joined, playing a key role in the team’s 2022-23 Eredivisie title and winning the Dutch Cup and Cruyff Shield a year later.

So far, he has scored 39 goals and contributed 29 assists in 129 games in the past three seasons. The Feyenoord ace contributed 16 goals and 14 assists in 34 league games and won the Dutch Footballer of the Year last season.

After signing Jakka Bjor, Sebastian Bornau and Lucas Nmecha earlier this season, Leeds United was in trouble before stepping up their pursuit of other transfer targets. Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lucas Perry are expected to become first-team regulars, but there have been widespread reports of a lack of commitment in high positions over the past few weeks.