Leeds United Win The Race For This Selecao Forward: Why He Would Be Massive In Their Battle For Survival | OneFootball

In one of his recent transfer updates, Nicolo Schira has shared some exciting news for the Leeds United fans. The Premier League newcomers have defeated Olympique Marseille in the race for Igor Paixao. Feyenoord have accepted an offer of around €35M (including add-ons) for their wide attacking ace, who now has a five-year contract on the table awaiting acceptance.

The 24-year-old Selecao star, who represented his nation once at the U23 level, progressed through the academy ranks of Coritiba back in his homeland. Although he eventually earned a first-team status, the season-long loan stint with Londrina helped him cement a regular role at his boyhood club.

The Rise Under Arne Slot

His emergence through the lower leagues of Brazilian football grabbed the attention of then-Feyenoord boss Arne Slot. The Dutch giants splashed €4.50m to secure his services, which, however, proved to be a terrific piece of summer business. Paixao was an instant success, as he played a key role in their 2022-23 Eredivisie triumph, followed by the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield crowns a year later.

So far, he has netted 39 times and laid on 29 more in 129 appearances over the past three campaigns. With 16 goals and 14 assists in 34 league outings, the Feyenoord ace received last season’s Dutch Footballer of the Year award.

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – FEBRUARY 15: Igor Paixao of Feyenoord (R3) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Knockout Round Play-offs First Leg match between Feyenoord and AS Roma at Feyenoord Stadium on February 15, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

After snapping up Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lucas Nmecha earlier this window, Leeds United took a while before stepping up the chase for the other transfer targets. Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lucas Perri are expected to feature as first-team regulars, but their lack of investment high up the pitch has been under scrutiny amid several rumours over the past few weeks.

Why Leeds United Need A Prolific Wide Attacker

The Whites have Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto, and Largie Ramazani, who contributed significantly to their return to the top flight of English football. Nevertheless, they had to find a successor to Manor Solomon, particularly after the Tottenham attacker’s incredible loan stint in West Yorkshire. He scored 10 goals and set up 12 more in 39 Championship outings while featuring from the left flank, and Paixao, with his numbers in the Netherlands, should emulate a similar impact under Daniel Farke.

Farke maintains his perfect promotion record, but he must not repeat the same mistake that he made with Norwich City on successive occasions. The German chief needs to find the right balance between proven names and promising prospects across the pitch, and Leeds’ transfer roster this window should encourage the Elland Road faithful ahead of a turbulent season.