Igor Paixao reaches final decision on signing for Leeds after £42.7m call from USA

Leeds United have been told to pay £42.7million if they want to sign Igor Paixao from Marseille.

The Yorkshire giants have been hot on the heels of the 26-year-old Brazilian this summer as Daniel Farke looks to add mroe firepower to his attack.

Leeds have already signed Harry Wilson on a free transfer from Fulham this summer but Jack Harrison has left and doubts linger over the futures of Largie Ramazani, Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe.

Paixao, a left-winger by trade, scored 12 goals and supplied seven assists for Marseille in 42 outings across all competitions last season, leading to the Whites targetting a move for him before the transfer window shuts on 1 September.

Marseille are plagued by financial issues, meaning that they could alleviate some of their concerns by selling off players like Paixao.

Unfortunately for the Elland Road club, a deal looks increasingly unlikely with Paixao deciding on his future.

What's Igor Paixao decided?

Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reported via his X account on Tuesday morning that Marseille's American owner Frank McCourt has slapped a £42.7m price tag on Paixao's head in a bid to scare off potential suitors.

On top of that, Paixao himself has decided that he wants to stay at Marseille.

Aouna claims that the Brazilian has an "excellent relationship" with manager Bruno Genesio and if he was to leave the French club, it would be to join a "real project".

While Leeds have shown an interest in Paixao since last year, before he joined Marseille from Feyenoord, it now seems time to finally end their pursuit of him after that damning - if not, insulting - reaction to the Premier League club's pursuit.

But the failure to sign Paixao raises questions about Leeds' bid to add to Farke's attacking options before the deadline.

Who Leeds could turn their attention towards signing now

Although he plays normally on the opposite flank, one forward who Leeds have been linked with lately is Barcelona's Roony Bardghji.

The 20-year-old is a bright talent but he's struggled a bit at Barcelona since joining them from FC Copenhagen last year and is currently injured.

Another target has been Lyon attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc.

He's not an out-and-out winger and usually prefers to play as a No 10, but the Czechia international is versatile in the attack.

Last season, he scored 15 goals and supplied 10 assists in 42 matches in various roles on either flank, in the midfield or as a striker.