Leeds United have done some seriously good business this summer, but their chase of Igor Paixao has taken a hugely positive turn following an offer that has forced Marseille into changing their transfer plans for the ongoing transfer window.
The Whites have already signed six players this summer, and Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri will become their seventh signing once he passes a medical and signs a long-term contract to complete a £15m transfer move from the French giants to Elland Road. However, Leeds are in the hunt for more players.
The Yorkshire giants are pushing to sign a striker and are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Fulham for the signing of Rodrigo Muniz, their number one target, later in the transfer window.
Leeds also want a wide forward, and Paixao is their primary target. However, it seemed last weekend that the winger would be joining Marseille after he agreed on personal terms with the French giants.
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The transfer offer from Leeds United has blown Marseille away from the race
Marseille’s pursuit of Paixao looked shaky earlier this week when it emerged that the French giants were struggling to reach an agreement with Feyenoord.
They never improved on their £25m bid, and Feyenoord were adamant about not wanting to sell the winger for anything less than the £30m mark this summer.
The negotiations stalled between the two clubs, and according to journalist Juan Martinez, Marseille have now ended their pursuit of Paixao this summer.
They ended talks with Feyenoord after they were informed that Leeds had tabled a bid worth £30m for the winger to take him to Elland Road this summer.
The French giants do not want to get into a bidding war and have turned their attention towards former Rangers winger Ryan Kent in the ongoing window.
With Marseille out of the race, Leeds have a clear run at Paixao, and the winger is said to be keen on playing in the Premier League next season.
Paixao’s signing would be a major display of Leeds’ pulling power
The Brazilian winger scored 16 goals and registered 14 assists in the Eredivisie last season and has been on the radar of several clubs this summer.
Marseille were his first choice, but there is no harm in Leeds being his second choice. The Whites are a newly-promoted Premier League club, and will have to establish themselves in the top flight again.
However, there are other clubs who are keen to sign the Brazilian as well, and if Leeds manage to secure a deal to sign him, it would be seen as a major win for the club’s pulling power.
Leeds have already shown that they can convince a few top players to join them, with the imminent arrival of Lucas Perri being the prime example.
However, getting Paixao would be a major coup for the Yorkshire giants.
