French media make ‘£30m done deal’ claim as Marseille and Leeds United target Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United want to sign Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao as one of the key pieces of their puzzle for Premier League safety in 2025/26.

Survival in the Premier League is the club’s priority, which is why the 49ers are ensuring Leeds United and Daniel Farke have the strongest squad possible to make top flight football stick.

For some time now, there have been claims made that Paixao prefers Marseille over Leeds after it was revealed Roberto De Zerbi’s side entered the race for Paixao, which has spanned throughout Europe.

After scoring or assisting 37 goals last season with Feyenoord, it’s no great surprise that there is widespread intrigue in the 25-year-old. However, it then looked as though Leeds would miss out as Marseille closed in on Paixao’s signature.

• READ MORE: How the average height of Leeds United’s squad compares to 2024/25 after Anton Stach transfer

Leeds’ move for Igor Paixao is a ‘done deal’

The intricacies of this transfer have been far more difficult to navigate than other complicated deals like Anton Stach. That is why Graham Smyth knows Paixao is the most difficult deal for Leeds so far.

However, perhaps most crucially is the fact that Leeds can offer Feyenoord more cash than Marseille for Paixao. The Ligue 1 giants have struggled to get the deal over the line.

That is perhaps why Leeds’ outlook has been positive in recent days. It was claimed Paixao is “really close” to joining Leeds on Saturday evening, via Fabrizio Romano and sources at the Dutch end of the deal.

Leeds’ first offer to Feyenoord was £26 million with add-ons. That has since been rejected but it’s also been confirmed that Leeds offered £28 million plus add-ons for Paixao yesterday.

Now, the most positive update of all has landed via French outlet Daily Mercato. They state, that Marseille have long been in pole position in the Paixao deal, but they have now been overtaken by Leeds.

That’s because Leeds have “made an offer Feyenoord can’t refuse.” The result is that Paixao will “ultimately not be joining Olympique Marseille.”

It’s reported that Leeds are “positioned at €35 million” but they have now “further increased their stakes to convince Feyenoord and the player. The result: the 25-year-old Brazilian’s move to Leeds is almost a done deal.”

It’s unclear if this is a third bid past the £28 million reported, or if the €35 million (£30.5 million) is a fresh third bid, or if that figure includes the add-ons of the £28 million offer. Either way, it Leeds appear to have won the race.

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

Igor Paixao would become Leeds’ most expensive signing ever

Of course, the exact add-ons figure is not yet out there, but Leeds would be signing their most expensive player this summer — and one of their most expensive of all-time.

The below does not include the add-ons for each and every addition, but it gives somewhat of a picture of Leeds’ record arrivals in their history.

For example, Stach will cost more than Jean-Kevin Augustin if he achieves all the available add-ons. But even with or without those, Paixao will be among the club’s two most costly additions ever.

The circa. €35 million is beaten only by Georginio Rutter’s arrival from Hoffenheim in January 2023. Leeds ought to have contingency plans in case something goes wrong, though, with Dilane Bakwa a great alternative to Paixao.