Key Points
- Leeds United and Olympique de Marseille are actively conducting talks surrounding surplus goalkeeper Lucas Perri, while also holding discussions regarding Brazilian winger Igor Paixao.
- The 28-year-old goalkeeper was made available for departure from Elland Road prior to the end of last season after losing his starting position to Karl Darlow, followed by Leeds breaking the British transfer record for a goalkeeper to bring in James Trafford.
- A prospective move for Lucas Perri to Italian side Torino was in advanced stages on a loan deal with an option to buy, but Marseille’s intervention has paused that arrangement as the player considers a return to French football.
- During discussions for the goalkeeper, Leeds enquired about long-standing target Igor Paixao, though the French outfit are requesting approximately €50 million (£43 million) for the winger.
- Current indications suggest Igor Paixao is not looking to leave the Ligue 1 club, whilst Marseille remain under no immediate pressure to sell the former Feyenoord attacker.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) August 13, 2026 – Are Leeds United poised to complete major business with French outfit Olympique de Marseille before the close of the transfer window? Talks are currently under way between the two clubs regarding the permanent sale of redundant goalkeeper Lucas Perri, whilst separate discussions have also taken place surrounding £43 million-rated winger Igor Paixao.
The 28-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri has spent the summer seeking a fresh opportunity away from West Yorkshire. Information confirmed by TEAMtalk indicates that the shot-stopper was informed prior to the conclusion of last season that he was free to depart Elland Road. Having joined Leeds United from French side Lyon last summer in a deal worth slightly over £10 million, the goalkeeper’s spell in Yorkshire did not materialise as planned.
His tenure as first-choice goalkeeper effectively ended in January following a Premier League defeat against Newcastle United. Experienced keeper Karl Darlow was subsequently handed the starting spot between the posts. The situation was further cemented when Leeds broke the British transfer record for a goalkeeper to sign James Trafford, rendering Lucas Perri entirely surplus to requirements at the club.
As detailed by TEAMtalk, Lucas Perri had reached advanced negotiations over a prospective loan move to Italian side Torino in Serie A.
However, Marseille have now directly entered the picture to discuss a permanent transfer. The prospect of returning to France is understood to be highly appealing to the goalkeeper, leading to active multi-club discussions.
What is the status of the secondary discussions regarding winger Igor Paixao?
During the ongoing negotiations regarding Lucas Perri, Leeds United raised enquiries regarding long-term target Igor Paixao. As reported by TEAMtalk, the West Yorkshire side have maintained a long-standing admiration for the former Feyenoord winger, who is capable of operating either on the left flank or centrally through the middle.
Igor Paixao has attracted considerable attention throughout the summer window, with clubs such as Roma, Galatasaray, and Palmeiras monitoring his situation.
However, TEAMtalk reports that Leeds United and other potential suitors have been informed that the Brazilian player is currently not seeking an exit from Marseille. Furthermore, the French club remain under no financial pressure to sell and value the forward at around €50 million (£43 million).
Should any club meet that valuation, it would represent a substantial financial profit for Marseille, who purchased the player from Dutch outfit Feyenoord for a then club-record fee of €35 million last summer.
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What is the background of this particular transfer development?
The background to this dual-transfer situation stems from Leeds United’s squad restructuring following their recent recruitment drive and changing tactical requirements.
Last summer, the Yorkshire club invested just over £10 million to bring Lucas Perri to England from Lyon to anchor their defensive line. However, after failing to consistently deliver top-tier performances, his position came under intense scrutiny. The turning point occurred in January after a Premier League defeat against Newcastle United, which prompted manager Daniel Farke to adjust his line-up and hand Karl Darlow the starting role.
To establish stability in the position long-term, Leeds United subsequently completed a marquee, record-breaking signing for goalkeeper James Trafford. This high-profile acquisition immediately pushed Lucas Perri to the margins of the first team, leading the club to inform the player’s representatives that he was free to seek a transfer elsewhere.
Simultaneously, Leeds United have maintained a persistent interest in offensive player Igor Paixao dating back to his time at Feyenoord. When Marseille secured the Brazilian’s signature last year for €35 million, Leeds continued to track his progress in Ligue 1.
With Leeds United seeking to bolster their attacking options and Marseille looking to restructure their squad while evaluating incoming offers, the concurrent negotiations over Lucas Perri provided an opportunistic channel for Leeds United to reopen channels regarding Igor Paixao’s availability.
How will this development affect the overall transfer strategy and squad dynamics of Leeds United?
This double-sided transfer movement will directly shape how Leeds United manage their squad depth, wage bill, and financial fair play compliance heading into the remainder of the season.
First, securing a permanent transfer or favorable departure for Lucas Perri allows Leeds United to trim unnecessary wage expenditure and offload an unwanted secondary goalkeeper.
Removing an excess senior player from the roster avoids potential dressing-room friction, allows James Trafford to unequivocally establish himself as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, and enables the administration to recoup a portion of the original £10 million outlay.
Second, the prospective chase for Igor Paixao highlights the club’s ambition to add genuine top-flight quality and versatility to their attack. However, with Marseille setting a steep price tag of €50 million (£43 million) and the player currently content in France, Leeds United face a tactical decision.
The hierarchy will need to decide whether to structure a higher bid to test Marseille’s resolve or pivot to alternative, lower-cost targets before the transfer deadline closes. If a deal for Igor Paixao cannot be struck, the supporters can expect the club’s transfer committee to direct those allocated funds toward secondary targets in similar attacking positions.
