{"id":304611,"date":"2025-07-30T18:52:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/304611\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T18:52:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:52:14","slug":"graham-smyth-shares-leeds-uniteds-plan-of-action-after-igor-paixao-snub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/304611\/","title":{"rendered":"Graham Smyth shares Leeds United\u2019s plan of action after Igor Paixao snub"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leeds United still need more signings, having had a few setbacks already in the summer transfer window.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The work that the 49ers and Daniel Farke have done has largely been impressive, with seven additions into the Leeds United<\/a> first-team and more yet to follow.<\/p>\n

However, the drawn out Igor Paixao saga has set Leeds back in terms of bringing in a wide forward. It means they have to look elsewhere and make a play for someone else on their shortlist.<\/p>\n

In many ways, it\u2019s a huge shame for the Leeds faithful, given that it was reported\u00a0Leeds were also willing to pay more than Marseille<\/a>\u00a0for the 25-year-old Feyenoord star.<\/p>\n

\"IgorPhoto by Pim Waslander\/Soccrates Images\/Getty ImagesGraham Smyth explains Leeds have signed \u201creach\u201d signings after missing out on Igor Paixao<\/p>\n

It was also claimed Leeds led the Paixao race in pole position<\/a>\u00a0over the weekend, but the claims then came out that\u00a0Marseille were making one last attempt to sign Paixao<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite some reports stating it was a\u00a0\u201cdone deal\u201d between Leeds and Feyenoord<\/a>, it became obvious that\u00a0Paixao always preferred a transfer to Marseille over Leeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the end, they\u00a0matched\u00a0<\/a>Leeds\u2019 bid of around \u20ac35 million for Paixao<\/a>. Ambitious\u00a0\u2018reach\u2019 signings have been detailed by Graham Smyth<\/a>\u00a0and the Brazilian was certainly that.<\/p>\n

Smyth has also explained just how close Leeds came to Paixao<\/a>, and he has since detailed what happens next following the failure to acquire one of their \u201creach targets\u201d this summer.<\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

Speaking via\u00a0The Yorkshire Evening Post<\/a>, he said: \u201cThere will be an inevitable challenge when it comes to deals because they have shown their hand to the market in terms of what they would be willing to spend for a difference-making winger. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut as they showed with Habib Diarra they are determined to stick to their valuations of players.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smyth then explained that Leeds will continue to go for ambitious signings of this type, having already secured some already. That\u2019s because the club\u00a0\u201chave refuted suggestions that they have been unable to get stretch targets over the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

The example given is Anton Stach who Smyth explains is a player who eventually turned down a Champions League opportunity to come to Leeds after a long period of deliberations.<\/p>\n

He adds that, similarly, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol could have signed for clubs looking forward to elite European competition in 2025\/26.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it appears that they are not panicking about the situation, as Smyth explains further that Leeds insist they will not be reactive or let emotions lead them to jump straight on the next available winger. <\/p>\n

They have now decided to go back to their process of discussing profiles, and checking the availability of targets they have scouted extensively, and then putting those names to Farke.<\/p>\n

\"RCPhoto by SEBASTIEN BOZON\/AFP via Getty ImagesDilane Bakwa is likely to be a player Leeds soon turn to after Paixao disappointment<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Beren Cross believes Leeds have pitched to several wingers<\/a>\u00a0while this process for Paixao has been ongoing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u23f3 Relaxed on goalkeeper arrival date
\ud83e\udd1e Hopeful progress on stopper \u2013 Perri among top targets
\ud83d\udc40 Waiting on Fulham striker search
\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7 Still in on Paixao despite Marseille intent
\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea Ramazani loan interest
\ud83d\udccb Bakwa and El Khannouss options explored #lufc<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/jhIKgkn2k1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Beren Cross (@BerenCross) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

One alternative for Leeds could be RC Strasbourg\u2019s Dilane Bakwa<\/a>. Cross revealed he is someone they have their eye on already.\u00a0Bakwa was linked alongside Bilal El Khannouss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He wrote that he \u201cis another wide option Leeds have explored. He is not being pursued at the moment, but could be someone they turn to.\u201d<\/p>\n\nTeam<\/td>\nAppearances<\/td>\nGoals<\/td>\nAssists<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nFC Girondins de Bordeaux<\/td>\n52<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nRC Strasbourg Alsace<\/td>\n66<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Dilane Bakwa\u2019s career stats<\/p>\n

His career goals and assists so far are not out of this world in the same way Paixao\u2019s have been of late, but the 22-year-old still ticks many of the boxes Leeds need in and out of possession from their wingers next term.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n