Leeds United’s first major setback in the transfer window came in the form of Igor Paixao opting to join Marseille over them, agreeing a move to the French club this week.
Lucas Perri’s arrival from Lyon all but completed the bulk of Leeds’ investment into the defensive side of their squad this summer, with attention then turning to addressing the attacking side of things.
The name that quickly became priority was Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao, one of the stars of the Eredivisie and someone who would have been an outstanding coup for a newly-promoted side.
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Leeds United miss out to Marseille in chaotic Igor Paixao saga
The saga regarding Paixao was changing by the hour over the past fortnight, as Leeds lodged two bids to sign the Brazilian from Feyenoord.
Leeds’ second bid for Paixao amounted to £28million, and while reports out of France expected that deal to go through at Elland Road, less than 24 hours later the pursuit was over in bleak circumstances for Leeds.
(REUTERS/Pedro Nunes)
Despite being claimed by outlets across the Channel to be ‘on the verge’ of landing Paixao, Marseille matched the Whites bid and the player opted for the South of France over LS11.
In doing so, Paixao favoured the glitz of the Champions League over a relegation scrap in the Premier League – a decision that’s hard to blame Paixao for from a neutral perspective.
Asking price and negotiation dilemma Leeds United may have after Igor Paixao blow
There’s no time for Leeds to feel glum over their failure to land a target that, frankly, would have been too good for the position the club are in next season.
Alternative targets have to be focused on now that Paixao hopes are completely squashed, but for the 49ers in their attempts to find a viable backup plan, might run into trouble.
(Action Images/Lee Smith)
In Leeds’ attempts to keep everything under wraps with regards to transfer targets, their most high-profile name yet was also the most well-documented at a £28million fee, making it clear how high Leeds would go for that player.
Should the club enter hardball negotiations with any other clubs across Europe, they may find these teams reluctant to sell at what Leeds perceive to be good value, given they’ll know what’s available to spend if push comes to shove.
The deals done so far have represented smart business from the club both in profile and in price, but setting the stall out for Paixao could alert selling clubs into holding out for more from the 49ers.
A counter could be that Leeds may also be more convincing to other targets than they were to Paixao, who seemingly had his heart set on Marseille from the outset, and if Leeds have a target pushing for an Elland Road move, their club might buckle.
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