Igor Paixao is not yet a Leeds United player, even if the club are making progress towards a deal.
Ambitious ‘reach’ signings have been detailed by Graham Smyth previously in the transfer window, but Leeds United have been able to secure top targets like Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, and Lucas Perri already.
Leeds have made great progress on Paixao in recent days, but Smyth claims the Paixao deal is the ‘hardest’ of Leeds’ window thus far, which is why they cannot count their chickens just yet.
Beren Cross believes Leeds have pitched to several wingers while this process for Paixao has been ongoing. Leeds’ confidence is growing, though, with a £28 million plus add-ons bid made for Paixao.
Dilane Bakwa is an excellent alternative for Leeds to Paixao
The 25-year-old Brazilian is a potentially “transformational” signing for Leeds and Daniel Farke, given Paixao’s form has been outstanding with Feyenoord in recent years.
Leeds supporters won’t want to hear the term ‘hijack’ but it’s fair to say they have been here before when a deal was edging towards being finalised. For a player of Paixao’s talents, there is an increased chance of that happening.
Therefore, one alternative for Leeds could be RC Strasbourg’s Dilane Bakwa. The Athletic’s Beren Cross revealed he is someone they have their eye on already. Bakwa was linked alongside Bilal El Khannouss.
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He wrote that he “is another wide option Leeds have explored. He is not being pursued at the moment, but could be someone they turn to.”
He could be a better option than Paixao in one sense. Bakwa isn’t as explosive and won’t get as many goal involvements as the Brazilian, but he could rebalance the Leeds attack if they were to sign him.
That’s because Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani are both better-suited to playing at angles from the left flank, much like Paixao is. Signing the Feyenoord winger would mean Dan James is the club’s only out-and-out right winger.
Paixao may well be a more rounded attacking threat than Gnonto and Ramazani, but Bakwa is a 5’11” right winger who is left-footed. Leeds simply don’t have a left-footed player out wide.
Signing Paixao would mean Gnonto and James fight for minutes down Leeds’ right, but the addition of Bakwa actually makes more sense.
His career goals and assists so far are not out of this world in the same way Paixao’s have been of late, but the 22-year-old still ticks many of the boxes Leeds need in and out of possession from their wingers next term.
West Ham, Spurs, and Chelsea all have Bakwa interest
A retooling of the attack is underway, and Bakwa’s potential is enormous. He is a slightly more creative outlet than Paixao, as shown from his goal and assist numbers.
Talk surrounding a move elsewhere has since gone quiet now, but TBR Football have previously reported on interest in his services from West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea as well.
It’s said that Chelsea, in particular, have been hugely impressed with him. Although Sky Sports Switzerland have also stated he could cost around £26 million. That was back in April and his stock has risen since.
Leeds have the money for either, but Bakwa is a solid contingency plan for Paixao should the Brazilian not make the move to West Yorkshire. If anything, he could be a more idealistic profile fit for Leeds’ current lineup.
Both have the speed and decisiveness in transition which Leeds and Farke are looking for, most crucially.