Leeds handed transfer boost as Marseille talks stall | OneFootball

Leeds Back in Frame for Igor Paixão as Marseille Talks Hit Wall

Momentum shifts as Marseille bid stalls

Leeds United’s transfer pursuit of Igor Paixão has taken a positive turn, as talks between Marseille and Feyenoord have stalled over the winger’s valuation. Over the weekend, reports suggested Marseille were on the verge of completing a deal, with Paixão supposedly agreeing a five-year contract. But sources close to the negotiations, as cited by RMC Sport, have made clear the French club’s €28 million bid, around £24 million, remains short of Feyenoord’s asking price.

Photo IMAGO

This standstill has reopened the door for Leeds, who had already met with Paixão’s representatives earlier in the window. As the Yorkshire Evening Post outlines, the club made a compelling case, positioning Elland Road as a platform for the Brazilian’s rise, in the same mould as Raphinha’s move from Leeds to Barcelona.

Premier League exposure remains key

While Marseille offer Champions League football, Leeds have leaned into the appeal of consistent Premier League exposure. For a player with World Cup aspirations, the visibility and competitive rhythm of England’s top flight still carries significant weight. “Leeds still believe there is reason to pursue Paixão,” the report confirms, suggesting the club remain undeterred by recent developments.

And there’s more than pitch time on offer. The club’s recruitment team pointed directly to Raphinha’s trajectory, a Brazilian winger who, after just two seasons in West Yorkshire, earned a £55 million move to the Camp Nou. Paixão’s representatives are understood to have received that message clearly.

Photo IMAGO

Strengthening project appeals to targets

Beyond Paixão, Leeds’ activity in the window continues to speak to a more aggressive and ambitious rebuild. Anton Stach’s arrival in Germany, a £17.4 million deal for a Bundesliga standout, signals clear intent. Jaka Bijol is also expected to add defensive steel, while Rodrigo Muniz remains a target at No.9.

Photo IMAGO

Daniel Farke’s squad overhaul is being shaped with Premier League survival as the absolute minimum. The omission of Patrick Bamford from the club’s training camp and Mateo Joseph’s desire to move on underline a significant shift. Leeds are refreshing, not recycling.

Decision time for Leeds and Feyenoord

Whether Leeds can meet Feyenoord’s valuation remains to be seen. But with Marseille stalling and Paixão’s camp open to discussions, the opportunity is there. A decisive offer could position Leeds ahead of the queue, transforming what looked like a missed opportunity into a defining deal of the summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

If you’re a Leeds fan, you’re probably buzzing. Not just because you’re back in the mix for Paixão, but because the club’s behaviour in this window feels different, smarter, bolder, more aligned with a project that has some actual teeth.

Paixão is not just any winger. He’s one of the most electrifying forwards in Dutch football, and Leeds are no longer just spectators in the race for him. The fact that Marseille, with Champions League football on offer, can’t meet Feyenoord’s valuation, puts Leeds right back in the conversation. And if they can match that fee, or structure a deal with smart add-ons, this is a statement signing.

Think about it. Regular Premier League football, a system built to exploit wide talent, and a fanbase ready to elevate someone who delivers. He doesn’t need to look far for a blueprint either. Raphinha walked this path. Two years of magic at Elland Road, and now he’s on the Ballon d’Or longlist. That journey could absolutely happen again.