Leeds United have their eyes on a number of new additions currently, with the 49ers spinning plates and weighing up options.
They have to ensure that Leeds United are equipped and ready for an assault on the Premier League, with survival absolutely paramount for Daniel Farke’s team.
That requires quality and depth at both ends of the pitch, and Leeds are expected to be one of the busiest and most active teams in the market in the league for that very reason.
One option who has emerged in recent reports could now be off the table. Leeds’ interest in Paixao was reported a few weeks ago but fresh interest has since been revealed.
Leeds target Paixao has interest from Bayer Leverkusen
Other clubs in Europe are tracking Paixao, including Marseille. The Whites need a new winger, though, with Paixao potentially a Manor Solomon alternative this summer.
Other reports claim Paixao is not a Leeds target whatsoever, but Leeds United News sources have confirmed to us that Leeds’ interest in the Brazilian remains active.
There have even been claims that Paixao is open to a move to Elland Road. However, European giants like Arsenal have also looked at Paixao and it appears as though another has joined the race.
Now, Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen are taking an interest in the attacker following Florian Wirtz’s imminent switch to Liverpool.
Journalist Joost Blaauwhof of Voetbal International has outlined Leverkusen have set their sights on Paixao to bolster their attack. He states that sources close to ten Hag’s new club confirm that there is interest in the Brazilian.
However, an added wrinkle that might concern Leeds is that the Feyenoord hierarchy are aware of the interest and want a record amount to sell Paixao.
Paixao and Habib Diarra are ‘reach’ signings for Leeds
Leeds’ pursuit does have a feeling of other transfer sagas in seasons gone by, with Paixao already directly compared to Cody Gakpo.
However, eyeing up ambitious targets is imperative. Graham Smyth explained ‘reach’ signings yesterday, with Leeds looking at Habib Diarra and Jaka Bijol in that sense.
Paixao falls into that category as well, with Leeds setting the bar high early on in the window for the most ambitious names. The winger is like Diarra in that he is unlikely, but he remains someone Leeds are interested in.
There are other wingers and wide forwards on the shortlist, and Leeds may have to turn to those if Leverkusen’s interest in Paixao is firmed up, given that they are a Champions League side in 2025/26.
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