Leeds United scouted far and wide last summer in their bid to build a team good enough to survive the Premier League. The 49ers ended up building a solid core for their first season.
Daniel Farke guided the Whites to a 14th place finish on their return to the top flight.
And this came after the club missed out on many of their ‘top’ targets. Last summer, Leeds had a bid rejected for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz and ended up walking away.
The club also had several misses including the likes of Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson.
So it was no surprise the 49ers quickly wrapped up the signing of Wilson on a free transfer this summer. He was this close to being a Leeds player last summer, before Fulham pulled the plug on the deal.
Leeds United make decision on transfer target
Leeds United also missed out on Bilal El Khannouss, who chose to go to Stuttgart.
But one of the more heart breaking rejections came from Igor Paixao. The Brazilian winger was one of the most sought after players in the Eredivisie last summer after an incredible season.
Leeds went all out to convince him to join, and thought everything was agreed.
Paixao turned them down and snubbed the deal in favour of a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille. Unfortunately for the winger, he did not have a good first season in France.
He only managed 12 goals in all competitions. Per reports from France, Marseille could consider offloading the Brazilian this summer. Paixao would be available for less than the £30 million he was signed for.
You can’t rule it out entirely because they really, really liked him last summer but they’re not in for him right now. Unlikely as it stands.#lufc https://t.co/mtCZka9Je9
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) July 24, 2026
Graham Smyth has revealed that it would be unlikely that Leeds try to sign the winger this summer.
He added that the club had serious interest in the Brazilian, and ‘really liked’ the player.
READ MORE: Club owner slams James Trafford’s Leeds United release clause
49ers should revisit deal
It might sound crazy, but Leeds should definitely see if they can sign Igor Paixao.
He will be available for a cut-price fee as Marseille would be happy to offload him. The Brazilian remains a quality player, and even if he did not have the best of seasons, 12 goals is impressive.
Paixao outscored all of Leeds’ current wide options last season.
Going back for him would not be the craziest thing the club have done recently; the signed Facundo Buonanotte in January after he rejected a summer move. So the 49ers may have made the wrong choice on this one.
