Leeds United have been given a transfer boost as they eye a move for a new Brazilian attacker who has hailed former Whites star Raphinha.
Raphinha starring for Barcelona after leaving Leeds
Following promotion back in 2020, Raphinha was Leeds’ best signing in recent memory, joining from Rennes and starring at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa.
The Brazilian would also almost single-handedly keep Leeds in the top flight in the 2021/22 campaign before sealing a dream £50m transfer to Barcelona.
Since moving to the Nou Camp, the relentless winger has gone from strength to strength and is now a leading contender to win the Ballon d’Or after scoring 34 goals and providing 25 assists in 2024/25.
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He was playing amateur football in 2019.
Raphinha, who won his second La Liga title and first Copa del Rey in 24/25, still keeps an eye out for Leeds and celebrated the Whites’ recent promotion, reacting to the club’s social media post on Instagram.
Leeds will now be looking for a player of the same ilk as Raphinha as they aim to establish themselves in the Premier League once again, and one wide attacker who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Igor Paixao from Feyenoord.
There were claims Leeds submitted an enquiry to sign the Brazilian, however, the Dutch club would like a fee of €40m (£34m), but there has been a new update on a potential move.
Igor Paixao now open to Leeds transfer
According to Leeds Live, Paixao is open to the idea of joining Leeds this summer, however, despite previous reports, no contact has been made by the Whites at this moment in time.
Paixao would consider a move to Yorkshire, though, under the right personal terms, following an excellent individual campaign in 24/25 where he produced some impressive numbers, scoring 18 goals and registering a further 19 assists.
Talking earlier in the season, the Brazilian addressed his future and left the door open to a possible exit this summer.
“I will do my best at Feyenoord until the end of the season. If I stay, that’s fine. And if I leave, that will be the result of my game here. In any case, I want to leave something beautiful here. Moreover, I still have a contract until 2029. I will then focus on Feyenoord. It is up to the Feyenoord board and my agents to determine what is best for everyone.”
The 24-year-old is a right-footed winger who primarily plays on the left-hand side and previously expressed his admiration for Raphinha, saying: “Raphinha is an example for me and all of us Brazilians.”
Wingers compared to Igor Paixao |
Club |
---|---|
Dan James |
Leeds |
Bertrand Traore |
Ajax |
Estevao Willian |
Palmeiras |
Wilfried Gnonto |
Leeds |
Johan Bakayoko |
PSV |
Now, should Leeds make their move, they could soon have another exciting Brazilian winger on the books, three years after parting ways with Raphinha.