Graham Smyth update on Igor Paixão transfer pursuit with Leeds United's next steps explained — YEP 23/7/25
By Kyle Newbould
Leeds United remain interested in Igor Paixão who is also a
target for French side Marseille.
Leeds United remain very much interested in Igor Paixão but
have alternative options ‘at the same level’ as the Feyenoord star, according
to YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth.
The YEP reported on links to Paixão earlier this month with
Leeds chiefs meeting the Brazilian’s representatives in a bid to sell their
project. Daniel Farke is known to want a marquee left-wing signing and is
thought to see the 25-year-old as a potential match-winner in the Premier
League, as evidenced by his return of 18 goals and 14 assists across all
competitions last season.
The latest from transfer rivals Marseille is that despite
the player’s openness to a move, they have reportedly been unable to meet
Feyenoord’s demands, which would equate to a club-record purchase for the
French outfit. That could, of course, change very quickly and while Leeds
certainly have a keen eye on the situation in Rotterdam, it’s not Paixão or
bust.
“The latest we are hearing on Igor Paixão is that a deal has
not yet been struck between Feyenoord and Marseille, despite all the noise that
came out of France about them being close to agreeing a deal,” Smyth told the
YEP’s Inside Elland Road podcast out in Germany. “We spoke to someone in
Holland this morning [Tuesday] who said that as far as they were aware, a deal
had still not been struck and was still not imminent.
“Leeds still, evidently, believe there is a player to chase
there, and will continue to chase until there isn't one to chase. But it is
interesting that Marseille have not got a deal over the line yet. We are often
told by club sources that there are other players on the list that are at the
same level as this player. But when you tell Leeds United fans there is a
Brazilian winger who could come in from Europe, who did really well last season
in a top division, can score from distance, very exciting, they want that
player and they want that deal to happen.
“It's really understandable that Leeds fans are so excited
for this one. And everyone at Leeds will be hoping that the Marseille thing
stops or goes away, and they can actually get a deal done for this fella and
bring him in. He would be one of the marquee signings and they need difference
makers up top.”
Graham Smyth on Anton Stach’s arrival and what’s left
There is little doubt Paixão would be a marquee signing in
attack but Leeds already feel they’ve brought in difference-makers further
back. £15million centre-back Jaka Bijol is seen as a significant ceiling raiser
while Anton Stach, whose £17.4m move from Hoffenheim was confirmed on Tuesday,
was regarded one of the Bundesliga’s best midfielders last season.
Leeds have enjoyed great success recruiting from Germany
since Farke took charge, with Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev both proving excellent
additions for a combined £8m. And according to Smyth, new arrival Stach is seen
as a hugely important signing.
“Daniel Farke likes him a lot,” Smyth added of Stach. “He
feels like everyone involved with Leeds had a really good feeling that he's a
top character. He's obviously a disruptor. Wins the ball a lot. He believes he
can deal with the ball. He’s good in both boxes, obviously standing at 6ft 4in.
And Farke touched on that tactic of bringing in big lads this summer. He said
it's no coincidence they're all big fellas.
“Stach, in particular, he feels has a goal in mind of
playing at the World Cup for Germany, and he thinks that playing in the Premier
League week-in, week-out will help him do that, but he's really pleased to get
him in and beyond that, Farke wants to strengthen all the other areas of the
pitch. He says central midfield is sorted. Central defence is sorted. But they
want a goalkeeper, they want a No.9 and they want a left winger. They want
additions as well as that, which will strengthen the squad.”