Leeds United made a huge effort to convince Igor Paixao to move to Elland Road. From using Raphinha as an example to Premier League viewership records, the Whites pushed hard, but the Brazilian winger ultimately decided to opt for French giants Marseille.
Sporting director Adam Underwood and the rest of the recruitment team have earned praise for their work this summer, but the failed Paixao pursuit is a blot on their record. Leeds felt that he was keen on the move, but the winger ultimately had his heart set on a transfer to Marseille in the ongoing window.
Paixao was one of the best players in the Eredivisie last season, scoring 16 goals and registering 14 assists, and several clubs were interested in snaring him away from Feyenoord this summer.
Leeds admitted that it would have been a major coup if Paixao joined the Whites this summer, but ultimately, it proved a bridge too far for a club that just got promoted to the Premier League.
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“Champions League over relegation football” – Igor Paixao snubbing Leeds United explained
Leeds were prepared to pay Feyenoord’s £30m asking price, and the negotiations were progressing until Marseille came in with another bid to seal the deal.
The French giants were the only club that had a contractual agreement in place with Paixao, and the Brazilian ultimately agreed to join the club that he wanted to.
Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan has conceded that the winger did speak to Leeds, but stressed that he was never going to join a club who are likely to battle relegation from the Premier League next season.
He pointed out that Marseille offered Champions League football, and the player was always going to opt for a club that gave him the chance to play at a higher level.
“Leeds might end up playing relegation football”, Van der Kraan said on De Telegraaf.
“Of course, you don’t say that out loud as a player when you’re in talks with a club, and he did speak with them. But Marseille are guaranteed Champions League football.
“He’s already made a name for himself there; that’s a major stage he wants to be on, and maybe he can even take another step up from there.
“I wouldn’t rule that out.
“He was by far the best player in the Netherlands this season.”
Leeds have avoided signing a player who was not entirely sold on the project
The Whites have dodged a bullet in Paixao. Fighting to avoid relegation will be the goal next season, and the Whites need players who are up for that battle.
Paixao is a good footballer, but if he were not keen to play for a club that will be in a relegation battle, it’s best he didn’t arrive at Elland Road this summer.
Leeds cannot afford to carry players in their squad who could shirk away from responsibility if the going gets tough for the Whites next season.
The Whites have moved on to other targets, and the club are working on other wide players who are more suited to their needs.
Every player that wears a ‘big hat’ outside the Premiership has to be humble enough to accept he will be a small fish in a big pond now. Leeds will not be a glitter club any time soon. To prove himself he needs to work hard at the basics and add the extra skill when possible. If he is a ‘Grasshopper’ he will look to other players to do the hard slog while he shines in hope of moving to more prestigious clubs. Leeds need hard working players to survive over the next few season. My daughter was upset to hear he is not coming to Leeds she thought his name is IVOR PIXIE, and would bring magic powers to Leeds.