There has been plenty of talk about the promoted sides recently, with Granit Xhaka set to sign for Sunderland in a huge move by the Black Cats. Leeds will do their best to keep up with the North-East outfit and stay above the drop zone. Their recent business and activity in the transfer market has suggested that they will have a good chance of doing so. However, Leeds United now look set to lose out on target Igor Paixão, who is completing a move to Olympique Marseille.
Leeds United Snubbed By Huge Target Whilst Sunderland Secure Huge Signing
Igor Paixão Wanted Olympique Marseille
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Paixão is set to join French giants Marseille. They reportedly have a deal in place with Feyenoord, whilst a five-year contract has been agreed with the player. On July 19, Romano had revealed that OM were moving closer to a deal, with around £26 million being demanded by the sellers. It can only be assumed that a fee in this region was bid.
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Despite Leeds “pushing hard” to win the race for Paixão, the player on a “similar path to Raphinha” reportedly “wanted” the move to Ligue 1, according to Romano. Fans will be disappointed as such a highly rated signing had promised good signs for the upcoming season, though it was a high fee to pay for a promoted club who will be concerned by the threat of relegation.
Losing Transfer Race Could Be Detrimental for Leeds United
This signing looked to be huge for Leeds, who had already confirmed signings of a new goalkeeper, three defenders and a couple of defensively minded midfielders. Whilst a tight defence is important in the Premier League, goalscoring is also key for the bottom teams, with Leicester City and Ipswich Town scoring around 20 fewer than Wolves but conceding only ~10 more last season.
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This is a concern for Leeds United whose top scorer found the net in just one game (albeit four times) after February last season. Bringing in Paixão, who scored 16 from the wing in the Eredivisie last year, seemed to be part of the solution to this, so fans may now be concerned. Critics have identified the number nine position as one that the Peacocks need to strengthen, with Lukas Nmecha not a conventional Daniel Farke striker nor a proven goalscorer. They will now need to find another forward target.
