Although the new Premier League campaign is still in its infancy, that hasn’t stopped there from being transfer rumours regarding Leeds United already.
Despite being in West Yorkshire for ten minutes it feels like, Tarik Muharemovic has been linked with a move away to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Recent reports have also linked us with a move to a player we are all familiar with by this point, Igor Paixao.
However, there are two obvious issues that make me doubt we will go back in for the Brazilian winger.
Leeds United ready to reignite interest in Igor Paixao per reports
In the summer of 2025, Paixao looked like he was going to be our marquee attacking signing. However, it wasn’t meant to be, and the winger joined Marseille from Feyenoord instead.
This past summer, we were again linked with the 26-year-old. It looked like he would be available due to Marseille’s financial troubles. But a move never materialised, and Paixao ended up staying put in France.
Now, Football Insider are reporting that Leeds are “in the race” to try and sign Paixao again next summer.
Paixao was said to be valued at £40million last summer. However, due to Marseille’s financial situation, the winger could be available for a cut-price fee.
Other Premier League clubs are also said to be interested in Paixao. But they are not named. Leeds supposedly have the upper hand over their rivals due to their long-term interest in the Brazilian.
It would be nice to sign a player of Paixao’s quality. However, two obvious issues stare at me, which make me believe this potential move is very unlikely.
Why Igor Paixao to Leeds is unlikely
The first reason I think it’s unlikely Paixao signs for us is that we’ve reportedly chased him for the last two summers. He’s clearly not interested in a move to West Yorkshire. Otherwise, he’d have pushed it through.
At this point, Leeds pursuing Paixao is a wild goose chase. I just can’t see the 49ers wasting their time on him for a third summer in a row.
The other big reason is: are we just meant to forget Jean-Matteo Bahoya exists?
The Frenchman is still finding his feet at Leeds, but the 49ers are clearly big believers in his abilities. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be willing to commit £25.7million to sign him if he makes a certain number of appearances for the Whites this season.
So if we do spend £25.7million on Bahoya, which by all accounts seems likely, there’s no way we sign another left winger in Paixao in the same window. Even if he is available for a cut-price fee, which would likely still be in and around the region of £30million, you would imagine.
To spend all of this money, which would likely be a hefty chunk of our budget next summer, on just one position would be foolish. I can’t see it happening.
Then, if Paixao did sign, which is unlikely, how would you balance his playing time with Bahoya’s and Noah Okafor’s? The simple answer is you can’t. Daniel Farke couldn’t give them all a meaningful amount of minutes in their natural position. So, at this point, I’m choosing not to put much stock in this report at all.
