(Credit: Manh Tung, Imago)
Tue 29 July 2025 15:10, UK
Leeds United’s pursuit of Igor Paixao looks to have hit a brick wall, with the Brazilian now set to join Marseille.
Paixao has been the talk of the town in West Yorkshire in recent days, and at one point looked set to be joining the Whites.
Whilst Paixao would have undoubtedly been a quality addition to Daniel Farke’s squad on paper, there are some concerns regarding the 25-year-old.
Leeds need to move quickly in the market and identify another player they wish to bring in to replace the magic that Manor Solomon provided last season.
Farke is still on the hunt for another winger to add to his squad (Credit: Imago)Potential data concerns regarding Paixao
Riccardo Sottil has emerged as a potential new target that United are pursuing, but the Italian would be unlikely to garner the same excitement that Paixao did when he was linked with a move to LS11.
Paixao enjoyed an outstanding season for Feyenoord last season, scoring 16 goals and providing 10 assists in the Eredivisie as Feyenoord finished third.
The winger was also impressive in the Champions League, scoring two goals and setting up four more in just 11 appearances.
On paper, these numbers are phenomenal, but a deeper dive could reveal some harsh truths.
For Paixao’s 16 league goals, he was only expected to score 10.56 goals, whilst he was also only expected to record 6.71 assists, but ended up reaching 10.
Paixao also drastically overperformed his expected output in European competition last season (Sofascore)
Overperforming your expected data is something the top quality players can do on a regular basis, but whether the Brazilian can keep that up remains to be seen.
The data suggests his teammates were extremely clinical with the chances he created for them, making him rather fortunate to record so many assists last campaign.
Outperforming his expected goals is more in Paixao’s control, as it is he who has the scoring opportunity.
There is always a risk when signing a player who massively outperforms his expected goals that he is simply on a hot streak that cannot be replicated for multiple years.
Paixao may have struggled to replicate his form from last season at Leeds (Credit: Imago)Injury concerns for the Brazilian
Furthermore, the winger is currently nursing an injury that will see him miss the first few games at the start of the next campaign.
For United to have the best chance at staying up, hitting the ground running is essential, and Paixao would not have been able to come in and immediately contribute to Farke’s side.
Not being able to build a rapport with his new teammates in pre-season may have also set the Brazilian’s progress back in his ability to adapt to the Premier League.
Whilst some of this may be seen as clutching at straws, Leeds‘ full transfer window does not become an instant failure or success solely on whether Paixao signed.
The additions of Jaka Bijol and Lucas Perri are quality additions from Adam Underwood and Co., whilst there is plenty of time for more marquee signings in the final third.
The 49ers have had an impressive record when it comes to their signings so far at Leeds, so whilst missing out on Paixao is painful, fans must remain calm before the Premier League campaign.
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