The transfer market opened for a period of 10 days on Sunday and since then, Leeds United have been linked with a whole heap of potential new signings.
The Whites are expected to be busy this summer with Paraag Marathe promising to spend every penny the club can without breaking PSR. Leeds have identified four key positions they want to strengthen.
Goalkeeper, centre-back, central midfield and a striker. But fans would argue the club need to do more than that, especially if The Whites are unable to bring Manor Solomon back to the club permanently.
A new winger would certainly be needed and this week, Leeds have been linked with a big-money move for Feyenoord’s Brazilian star Igor Paixao. It comes after a stellar 2024-25 campaign, scoring 19 goals.
Igor Paixao told he is better than Liverpool star Cody Gakpo
It has been a remarkable campaign for Paixao and it comes as no surprise there is now interest in his services. Leeds and Brighton want £34m-rated Paixao, while Marseille have made a £17m+ bid for him.
Even Liverpool have been urged to sign Paixao this summer, with former Feyenoord boss Rob Jacobs telling 1908.nl in March that Paixao is in fact better than current Anfield star Cody Gakpo currently.
He said: “I really think he makes Liverpool stronger. Arne Slot should also enjoy his development. Cody Gakpo is of course also a fantastic player and is doing well at Liverpool, but I think Paixão is better.”
How close did Cody Gakpo come to joining Leeds in 2023
In the summer of 2022, Gakpo had the choice of joining Leeds, Southampton or staying at PSV. He told himself that if he scored once, he would join Southampton. Twice, Leeds. Three times, stay at PSV.
Having scored two goals and involved in a third, it looked like Gakpo would choose Leeds but the goal was awarded to Gakpo – having initially been credited as an own goal. He told The Players’ Tribune:
So I said, ‘If I score only one time, I’ll go to Southampton… If I score two times, I’ll go to Leeds… If I score three times, I’ll stay’. I scored twice. I was also involved in a third goal – ‘Ah, OK, it’s Leeds then’,” he said.
“It was like a coin toss, waiting to see what they decided. It could have gone either way! But after the game, they gave me the goal. I scored three, so my fate changed. I stayed at PSV,” Gakpo continued.
Later that season, Leeds were relegated while Gakpo has gone on to become a favourite at Liverpool, now under the guidance of a fellow countryman in Arne Slot – who of course, was also linked with Leeds.
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