Igor Paixao transfer: The exciting winger being eyed by Leeds United in profile

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Leeds United are being heavily linked with a move for thrilling forward Igor Paixao in the summer transfer window.

It’s already been a busy summer for Leeds United in the transfer window, with Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lukas Nmecha and Sebastiaan Bornauw all already signed.

Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff is expected to soon become recruit number five, taking Leeds’ spending to over £45m.

Daniel Farke is not satisfied there, though, and plenty of positions in his squad still need strengthening for the Premier League.

A new goalkeeper and striker remain top priorities but Leeds also want to bring in a winger after being unable to sign Manor Solomon permanently.

Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao appears to be the top target to add some quality pace and skill to the flanks and here’s all you need to know about him.

• Who is Sean Longstaff? Get to know the Newcastle United hero who has joined Leeds United in the transfer window

Who is Igor Paixao?

Igor Guilherme Barbosa da Paixao is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Feyenoord.

Paixao began his career in his homeland with Coritiba, where he joined aged 14 and soon stood out as a star prospect.

He signed his first professional deal at 18 and made his first-team debut shortly afterwards in January 2019. A loan to the Brazilian third tier followed, where he helped Londrina earn promotion to Serie B.

Paixao returned to his parent club and for 18 months impressed as a regular starter, before Dutch giants Feyenoord came calling and paid around £4m to sign him in 2022.

The winger enjoyed near instant success in the Netherlands, thrilling fans with his speed and skill and earning Team of the Month plaudits. Feyenoord won the Eredivisie title in his first season, with Paixao scoring seven times in 26 games.

More joy followed in 2023-24, with Paixao scoring a brace in a 6-0 drubbing of Ajax, the Amsterdammers’ worst defeat in league history. He also bagged the winning goal in the 2024 KNVB Cup final vs NEC.

Another medal was added to his collection when Feyenoord defeated PSV in the Johan Cruyff Shield, and he was also awarded the Eredivisie Goal of the Year award for his sensational strike vs FC Utrecht.

On a personal level, 2024-25 was Paixao’s best season yet as he won the Golden Boot with 16 goals (scoring 18 in all competitions, as well as claiming 19 assists), impressed in the Champions League and was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.

Paixao is clearly dripping in talent and would be an incredible signing for Leeds.

Igor Paixao to Leeds United transfer news

Paixao first emerged as a possible target for Leeds in early June, but it immediately looked unlikely given reported interest from other parties like Marseille and even Arsenal.

Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League rivals Aston Villa have also been touted with an interest.

In July, it appeared that Marseille had won the race with Paixao wanting the move.

However, it then emerged from Dutch media that the Ligue 1 club are unlikely to sign him, giving Leeds renewed hope.

There is a stumbling block in that the Brazilian has suffered an injury that could halt any potential move, but Leeds still want to sign Paixao regardless.

Paixao is open to a Leeds move. The Whites want Paixao but reportedly remain hesitant about Feyenoord’s asking price.

How old is Igor Paixao?

Paixao was born in Macapa, Brazil, on June 28, 2000. As of July 2025, he is 25 years old.

Though that puts the forward slightly below the age bracket Farke has been recruiting in this summer, it makes sense for Leeds to spend more on a player with more miles left on the clock.

Igor Paixao height

Paixao stands at 5’6″ tall.

Though that is a diminutive height that could cause him problems in the Premier League, it also gives him a low centre of gravity and lightning-quick speed.

Igor Paixao salary

According to Salary Sport, Paixao earns just £14,000 a week at Feyenoord, which works out at £728,000 a year.

That seems low for a top-level footballer but, if correct, Leeds would be able to offer a huge pay rise without breaking their own wage structure.

Igor Paixao stats

Paixao’s impressive career stats so far.

Igor Paixao social media

Paixao has an official Instagram account with 141k followers that you can find @igorpaixao_00.

He does not appear to have an X, formerly Twitter, account.

Praise for Igor Paixao

Paixao, who sees Raphinha as a role model, has even been praised as better than Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo in the past.

Former Feyenoord boss Rob Jacobs told 1908.nl in March that Liverpool should sign Paixao as he is better than Gakpo.

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 Paixao is better.”