Leeds United had to wait for Igor Paixao and then, just as a deal looked like it was on, it was off again. Marseille have agreed a deal to sign the Feyenoord winger, leaving Leeds in the lurch.
A head-to-head battle has been widely reported for Paixao, with Leeds and Marseille the leading clubs in the race for the Brazilian. It comes after Paixao had a hand in a whopping 37 goals and assists last term.
Paixao’s preference had always been Marseille and little surprise, Roberto De Zerbi’s side set to play in the Champions League next season. The Brazilian was also open to joining Leeds, but would prefer Marseille.
It was always going to be whether Marseille could pay Paixao’s asking price. Leeds made an offer of just over £28m over the weekend, but on Monday afternoon, it emerged that Marseille have got their man.
Photo by Pieter van der Woude/BSR Agency/Getty ImagesThe fee Marseille are paying to finally land Paixao’s signature
Feyenoord’s asking price for Paixao throughout the summer has been a £30m fee, and now it emerges that after weeks of negotiations, Marseille have finally done a deal that sees them cross the £30m barrier.
Fabrizio Romano reports on X on Monday evening that Marseille will pay an initial £26m to land the fleet-footed wide man, before paying another £4.3m in add-ons. It is a club-record deal for the Ligue 1 side.
Romano said on X: “Olympique Marseille will pay fee around €30m plus €5m add-ons for Igor Paixão.”
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Igor Paixao would have been Leeds’ second-biggest signing
While much has been made of Leeds being able to outdo Marseille financially, it was whether Leeds ever wanted to. Splashing a £30.3m fee on a player that is yet to take his club football to a high level, is risky.
Paixao has only ever played in The Netherlands and Brazil. Yet, the numbers are there for all to see and Leeds felt he was a game changer. But, Paixao slips through the net when they thought they had him.
A fee of £30.3m would have seen Paixao become Leeds’ second-biggest signing. Rodrigo Moreno was bought for £27m, Georginio Rutter for £35.5m. But Marseille will be Paixao’s destination this summer.