How 49ers wanting to sign Igor Paixao affects a Leeds United move for Manor Solomon

Add as preferred source on Google

The transfer window is officially open for clubs all across Europe, including a Leeds United side expecting to be busy in the market

Leeds United have their eyes on a wide forward or two, with Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao linked with a switch to Leeds.

There is talk of rivals bidding for the latest Leeds target Paixao already, but the Whites are just one of the teams keen to sign the 24-year-old with 32 goals and assists last season.

The exciting winger has plenty of flair and output to match, which is why the comparisons between Paixao and Brazilian compatriot Raphinha are obvious.

However, if Leeds’ interest firms up and a move materialises, then he could have a serious knock-on effect on two other players associated with Leeds.

• READ MORE: Leeds United transfer news & rumours as Spurs midfielder eyed and Paixao interest emerges

Paixao deal could have implications for Willy Gnonto

Willy Gnonto is one player who has had two interesting seasons in the Championship, with Gnonto penning a new contract in 2024. However, it wasn’t always such a happy time between him and the club.

Crysencio Summerville is delighted with Gnonto’s progress and praised him winning the Young Player of the Season award in the process in a huge turnaround for the forward in West Yorkshire.

Prior to that, Gnonto handed in a transfer request at Elland Road. While there have also been some suggestions that Leeds could cash in on Gnonto for a PSR boost.

Signing Paixao could complicate things. Leeds have one natural right-sided and right-footed winger. All of the other three options from 2024/25 prefer the left flank, including Gnonto.

The Italian has played plenty of minutes on the right in the last two seasons, but Paixao is a very similar profile of winger to Gnonto in terms of build and the spaces he likes to operate in.

Small, stocky, yet explosive — it doesn’t make sense to sign him unless Gnonto is heading for the exit door himself. Both players will attack the box in a similar way and it may not make sense to retain Gnonto if that is the case.

Selling the 21-year-old would significantly boost PSR and the cost of Paixao could be amortised across the length of his contract. Leeds would therefore be better off financially, even if Paixao is bought for more than Gnonto is sold for.

That said, £50 million price tags have been mooted for Gnonto, although it’s fair to say it is more likely to be closer to £30 million to buy Gnonto, even if Leeds want to set a higher asking price.

In the scenario they sell for whatever price, Leeds can book the entirety of the profits from Gnonto and spread the cost of Paixao out. It is a tempting option and one Leeds fans may have to come to terms with.

• READ MORE: Dan James contract update at Leeds United, he could be willing to agree to one condition

Leeds may choose Paixao instead of Manor Solomon

Of course, selling Gnonto is one thing and would require a winger to come in and replace him, with Paixao effectively taking his place in the side.

One other angle could be retaining Gnonto’s versatility for both sides, but then not signing Manor Solomon. In that scenario, Leeds would have four wingers of differing quality but still two very similar in profile.

Solomon had a magnificent season, especially towards the run-in. However, there are no guarantees that Leeds will be able to sign Solomon.

The Spurs winger will have interest away from just Leeds and could move elsewhere. Paixao could be Gnonto’s replacement or he could mean Solomon is not a deal that transpires.

It’s difficult to envisage a world where all three of them, plus Dan James, are Leeds players by the end of the window. Either a move for Paixao doesn’t materialise, Gnonto is sold, or Solomon isn’t signed.

In the event Paixao isn’t brought in, Leeds ought to be eyeing a move for a right-sided player. The wingers are not balanced in that sense, with Largie Ramazani also preferring the left.

The other consideration should be whether Leeds need a taller profile out wide. Each of the named players above is 5’8 or below, and Farke and the 49ers may wish to have an outlet with real physicality from one flank.