Leeds United continued their strong start to the season with another win over Nottingham Forest, this time securing a comfortable 2-0 victory at the City Ground to reach the third round of the EFL Cup.
Dan James opened the scoring after half-time before James Justin added a second, putting the result beyond doubt and sending Daniel Farke’s side safely through.
It was Leeds’ second victory over Forest in just three days, following their 1-0 win at the same ground in Saturday’s Premier League opener.
Farke will now be hoping the board can deliver the players he still needs before next week’s transfer deadline and give him a complete squad for the season ahead.
Read More: Leeds set to launch surprise free transfer swoop before deadline – West Ham are also keen
Leeds United target’s potential sale sparks internal strife
Leeds wanted Igor Paixao last summer, but he chose Marseille instead of Elland Road. With the French club under immense financial pressure, there is a real chance they will sell the Brazilian in the coming days.
The Whites have held talks with the player’s representatives over a deal, but they are not willing to meet Marseille’s £42m asking price.
However, there is internal strife inside Marseille about the possibility of the winger leaving the club before the September 1 transfer deadline.
According to French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter, Marseille head coach Bruno Genesio does not want to hear anything about selling the Brazilian.
He has reiterated several times in public that he does not want to sell Paixao and has made it clear to the club hierarchy in private as well.
However, there is growing financial pressure on Marseille to raise funds, and the board are desperate to sell Paixao in the coming days.
In fact, there is growing fear that the board are so desperate to sell him that they may let him go for a figure less than his market value.
Genesio remains vehemently against selling Paixao, and that has set him on a collision course with the Marseille board.
Leeds must have cheaper alternatives for Paixao if Marseille do not drop their price
Igor Paixao is undoubtedly a talented player and was seriously considered by Leeds last summer before he moved to France.
The club’s hierarchy have remained impressed with him since then and clearly believe he could make a big impact at Elland Road. However, paying close to £45m for the Brazilian this summer would be difficult to justify.
Paixao is not the only talented attacker available in Europe, and other players with a similar profile could be signed for significantly less.
Leeds have already shown they can find value in the market, with Noah Okafor arriving for less than £20m last year.
Given the options available, there is simply no reason for the 49ers to overpay for Paixao when they could find a similar player elsewhere for a more sensible fee.
We seem to be wasting time on players that don’t want to join and clubs not interested in selling, or just overpriced, move on or miss out?