Leeds United’s attempts to convince Igor Paixao of a move to Elland Road were in vain as he has opted to join Marseille instead, an ambitious failure the Whites have experienced before.
Coming into the Premier League, Leeds have more scope for high-calibre signings than they did in the Championship, emphasised by the arrivals already completed.
However, with the attack now Daniel Farke’s focus, there is potential for the club to really kick into gear – the balancing act is finding these lucrative signings and then being able to execute the transfer ahead of other interested parties.
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Leeds United hit with Igor Paixao blow as Marseille seal agreement
All the talk was focused on Leeds’ attempts to bring in Igor Paixao from Feyenoord, as the 49ers tabled an improved £28million bid.
(REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw)
Alongside Leeds were Marseille, capable of offering football at the top end of Ligue 1 and in the Champions League under Roberto De Zerbi, which ultimately ensured they got their man.
Early this week, Leeds were hit with the major blow that Marseille had reached an agreement after finally matching the Whites’ offer for the Brazilian.
Charles De Ketelaere 2.0 situation for Leeds United after Igor Paixao setback
It’s a situation reminiscent of Leeds’ struggles to replace Raphinha during the summer window of 2022 under Jesse Marsch.
Leeds had just stayed in the Premier League but crucially then lost Raphinha to Barcelona for £55million, needing to replace superstar attacking quality, but low down the food chain as a side that stayed in the division on the final day just months prior.
The top target was Club Brugge’s Charles De Ketelaere, another superb talent hailing from a division outside the supposed ‘big five leagues’, and Leeds lodged a £31million bid to sign him.
(REUTERS/Craig Brough)
Their issue was AC Milan were also interested, and that had caught the Belgian’s attention from early, despite the fact that they were, like Marseille, dragging their feet when it came to meeting the financial demands of a deal with the selling club.
In the end, Leeds’ hopes of landing such an eye-catching signing for a player much better than a relegation scrap came up short as De Ketelaere’s persistence for the San Siro materialised in a move.
You’d hope the parallels to this summer’s saga end there, as Leeds’ response was to turn to Cody Gakpo in the week leading up to deadline day, and if not for the Dutchman leaving his fate in the hands of God (and the Eredivisie dubious goals panel), he would have been the emphatic response Leeds and Marsch needed to kick on that season, only to stay with PSV until after the 2022 World Cup where he shone, earning a move to Liverpool, as the Whites eventually ending up relegated.