Leeds United’s pursuit of Feyenoord sensation Igor Paixao continues into Tuesday, with Leeds waiting in the wings to learn of any developments regarding Marseille’s talks for the Brazilian.
It appears that Leeds and Marseille are going head to head in the race to sign 25-year-old Paixao, after he had a hand in 37 goal involvements last season. Those kinds of numbers do not go unnoticed in Europe.
To put it into perspective, Joel Piroe managed 26 last season. Manor Solomon clocked up 23 and Dan James was nominated for the Championship Player of the Season award with 21, albeit in just 37 games.
Paixao is a game changer. But he has agreed a five-year contract with Marseille and over the weekend, the Ligue 1 giants have been in talks with Feyenoord in an attempt to agree a fee for the Brazilian winger.
Marseille are said to have tabled an offer in the region of £24m for Paixao, which is some way below the Dutch giants’ valuation of £30m. Marseille’s inability to match Paixao’s price tag gives Leeds some hope.
Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty ImagesThe 49ers can help Leeds land Igor Paixao with Rangers deal
While Marseille continue to push for Paixao and hope Feyenoord reduce their asking price, The 49ers now have the chance to help convince Feyenoord to sell. The Record claim Feyenoord want a Rangers player.
They say Rangers are ‘braced’ for an offer for Hamza Igamane. It is believed Rangers want a fee in the region of £15m for Igamane, which would see Feyenoord smash their record transfer by as much as £5m.
Signing Igamane would certainly see Feyenoord relax their position on Paixao and be more willing to sell him. But it depends on whether The 49ers are willing to sanction the player’s exit in the next few weeks.
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How Leeds are trying to convince Paixao of Elland Road move
There are similarities with two big-money signings made by Leeds in the past few years. Prior to his move to Leeds, Luis Sinisterra had starred for Feyenoord, helping them reach the Conference League final.
Things didn’t go to plan with Sinisterra picking up a raft of injuries in his first season before he was one of the eight to use Victor Orta’s loan clause and leave. The other he shares similarities with, is Raphinha.
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The Brazil star and Ballon d’Or contender joined Leeds as a winger yet to really make it on the biggest European scene, but after two years at Leeds, he joined Barcelona in a deal believed to be worth £55m.
Leeds have been using Raphinha’s example as a way of convincing Paixao and other players to join the club. It might seem disrespectful to suggest Leeds as a springboard, but this is the nature of the game.