Leeds United are now “interested” in signing a £17m Igor Paixao alternative who has “wow factor”, journalist Francesco Guerrieri has revealed.
Leeds eyeing new winger with Paixao set to join Marseille
It was always going to be a tall order for Leeds to compete for Paixao’s signature, given that some of Europe’s biggest clubs were also in the race, and Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed the Brazilian is set to sign for Ligue 1 giants Marseille.
Missing out on the Feyenoord star will no doubt be viewed as a blow, but Daniel Farke must now move on to alternative options, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon on the list of targets, having impressed on loan at Elland Road last season.
However, Solomon is keen to remain at Tottenham and prove himself to new manager Thomas Frank, meaning it could be difficult to secure a deal for the 26-year-old, and a different winger has now entered the frame as a target.
According to Guerrieri on X, Leeds are one of the clubs “interested” in signing Marseille winger Jonathan Rowe, but there could be fierce competition for his signature, with AS Roma, Atalanta and AFC Bournemouth also in the race.
A deal for Rowe would not break the bank, with Marseille set to hold out for €20m (£17m), and there are plenty of signs the winger could be a superb alternative to Paixao…
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While it is very disappointing to have missed out on Paixao, the Marseille winger could also be successful at Elland Road, having seriously impressed in the Championship in the past, picking up 12 goals and two assists for Norwich City in the 2023-24 campaign.
The London-born winger also caught the eye at the recent U21 European Championships, picking up two goals and an assist for England, making himself a hero by scoring the winner against Germany in the final.
Academy coach Greg Crane previously revealed the England U21 international has always possessed the ability to have that sort of impact on a match, saying: “Jonny always had a bit of a wow factor.”
The only concern over the signing of Rowe will be the fact he didn’t exactly set the world alight at Marseille during the 2024-25 campaign, picking up just six goal contributions in Ligue 1, but he clearly has the talent to kick on at Elland Road.