How Leeds can sign a better winger than Igor Paixao

After avoiding defeat in five of their six pre-season outings, there’s a cautious sense of optimism building at Leeds United ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Daniel Farke will undoubtedly want to build on last season’s 14th-place finish in the Premier League, and it’s safe to say the 49ers have certainly backed him in that aspect.

Tarik Muharemovic, James Trafford and Harry Wilson have arrived for a combined £79m to date, subsequently improving key areas of the Whites’ senior ranks.

However, if the German is to have a greater chance of mounting a top half charge, he desperately needs added reinforcements in one area of his senior squad.

Why Leeds need added attacking reinforcements this summer

Despite striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting 14 goals in England’s top-flight last term, Leeds are in need of players to take some of the strain and pressure off the talisman.

The deal for Wilson will no doubt inject added quality into Farke’s side, but departures could see the Whites be relatively light in attacking areas ahead of 2026/27.

Joe Gelhardt recently completed a £6.5m move to Hull City, whilst the likes of Largie Ramazani, Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe all appear to be edging closer to exits from Elland Road.

As a result, Dan James, Lukas Nmecha, and Noah Okafor remain as squad options, with the manager still seeing Brenden Aaronson as a regular starter in his 3-4-2-1 system.

The latter of the quartet has once again come under fire throughout pre-season, which has seen many fans question if he is good enough to be a key figure throughout 2026/27.

With the season opener now just a handful of days away, it’s unlikely the Whites will add to their attacking unit before they travel south to face Nottingham Forest.

However, it’s crucial Farke and his staff do manage to get deals over the line before the window slams shut – with multiple talents appearing on their radar as of late.

How Leeds can land a bigger talent than Paixao

For the second time in as many years, Leeds have once again placed attacker Igor Paixao close to the top of their transfer list in an attempt to improve their frontline.

The Brazilian, who joined Marseille last summer, could once again be set for a move, as the French side look to raise funds and ease their financial issues.

A fee in the region of £35m has been mooted for the 26-year-old attacker, but he’s not the only player who’s still under consideration at Elland Road at present.

AC Milan winger Rafael Leão has once again appeared on their radar, with Football Insider providing the latest on the Whites’ hunt for the talented star.

They claim the 27-year-old has been offered to Farke’s men in recent weeks, which have seen talks held between the Whites and the player’s representatives.

Their report also states Manchester United have been subject to potential talks, whilst sides in Saudi Arabia and Turkey continue to monitor the Portuguese star’s situation.

A deal could prove to be a tricky one given Leao’s mammoth earnings, but there’s no denying the Whites would be landing a player with serious pedigree in the attacking third.

His stats from last season in Serie A highlight his quality in attacking areas and subsequently demonstrate why he is a class above fellow transfer target, Paixao.

The Portuguese international managed to complete nearly two times more crosses than the Brazilian per 90 – with his 44% success rate placing him above 85% of forwards in Europe.

Leao also managed to complete more of his take-on attempts than the Marseille star, which like his cross accuracy, ranked him in the top 15% of players in his position across the continent.

Such figures, coupled with his higher goal contribution tally in fewer outings, showcase his elite-level output and backs up Luka Modric’s claim that he’s “one of the best players in the world.”

Part of his success in forward areas came as a result of his tremendous ability to find a teammate in dangerous areas – as reflected in his big chance creation tally.

Leao’s tally of 0.5 big chances per 90 was not only higher than that registered by Paixao, but also 91% of other wingers across Europe’s top-five leagues.

It’s unclear how much a deal will cost Farke’s men or if he would be willing to make a move to Elland Road – but it’s a link which has generated huge excitement within the fanbase.

His proven success in forward areas makes him the perfect signing for the Whites this window and could allow him to play a huge role in helping the club achieve a top half finish.