Leeds United transfer news LIVE: Igor Paixao boost, £21m attacker eyed, Max Aarons targeted
Premier League clubs Ipswich Town and Everton are among the clubs hoping to convince him of a move, as per Foot Mercato.
Marseille want him as a potential replacement for Paixao but that plan could be wrecked and thus Leeds impacted as well.
Leeds and Marseille could have ended up negotiating another transfer, in addition to Igor Paixao.
Prior to an agreement being reached for Lucas Perri to join Torino, Marseille made an approach, as per Tuttosport, but the goalkeeper turned down a move to the French club.
They were likely hoping he would replace Geronimo Rulli who is expected to join Manchester City as the replacement for Leeds summer signing James Trafford
Lucas Perri was wanted by Marseille(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Trafford alternative set to seal cheaper transfer
While James Trafford is a very good goalkeeper, Leeds United’s transfer alternative looks set to seal a move for £10million less.
Zion Suzuki was being pursued by the Whites before Paris Saint-Germain made a move for the Japan international and their latest offer to Parma is €35m (£30m).
Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki
More goalkeeper news as brutal Trafford verdict issued
James Trafford cost Leeds United £40million and former player Danny Mills has told talkSPORT Bet that is too much and revealed where he would have spent those funds.
I think James Trafford to Leeds is a really interesting signing. Despite limited minutes at Manchester City, he is undoubtedly a very, very good goalkeeper.I think Leeds are paying a hefty price for Trafford. If you’re talking about £40m, that’s a lot for a goalkeeper. I know he’s young, but I do think it’s a hefty fee.If I were among the decision-makers at Leeds United, I’d possibly wonder if I could get better value for money in that position. Then I’d think that I could put that extra money into a centre-forward.
James Trafford(Image: Matt West/Shutterstock)
Villa join Paixao transfer race
Leeds United face another Igor Paixao transfer problem with Aston Villa interested in signing the Marseille star.
According to The Daily Mail, he is on the radar of Unai Emery as the club look to strengthen in attack. They have also kept an eye on Liverpool target Ibrahim Mbaye, Newcastle United star Harvey Barnes and Crysencio Summerville, who has since joined Al-Hilal.
With those three names expected to either stay put or be on the move elsewhere, Paixao could soon become a priority for Villa.
Leeds United transfer target Igor Paixao is of interest to Aston Villa(Image: 2026 Jean Catuffe)
Paixao transfer twist
Though Marseille likely need to sell Leeds United transfer target Igor Paixao, Celtic could be about to impact any potential deal.
The French club have two options to replace Paixao with one being Krepin Diatta, as already mentioned, and the other being Haissem Hassan.
However, the latter is of interest to Celtic and an £8million bid is reportedly set to be submitted which complicates matters for Marseille and then potentially Leeds.
Leeds United transfer target Igor Paixao is of interest to Aston Villa(Image: 2026 Jean Catuffe)
Goalkeeper bid truth
The goalkeeper transfers at Leeds United are not done just yet.
With Karl Darlow leaving, a back-up option for James Trafford is required and it looks as though San Lorenzo’s Orlando Gill is the frontrunner.
It has been claimed in his native Paraguay that an offer has been made but Sky Sports have denied those reports and actually stated that he is among five potential options being looked at by Daniel Farke’s side.
Gill announced himself on the global stage with some excellent displays at the World Cup.
Orlando Gill impressed during the World Cup(Image: Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper transfer domino
The signing of James Trafford has opened the door for Lucas Perri to seal a loan exit with Serie A side Torino set to take on his services.
The goalkeeper only joined last summer but lost his place to Karl Darlow, who has since joined Manchester United, and with Trafford joining he was likely to remain as No.2.
It is being claimed in Italy that there will be an option-to-buy included in the deal with Perri having already had a medical.
Lucas Perri has a contract at Leeds United until 2029(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Solomon latest
Leeds United favourite Manor Solomon has been in talks to join West Ham United from Tottenham.
However, as per The Athletic, that deal is on hold because of financial reasons with Spurs wanting to include promotion bonuses that the Hammers are far from happy about.
Fiorentina have also shown an interest but have not shown an indication of meeting his asking price.
Manor Solomon could be on the move this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Leeds ‘preparing’ £21m bid
Leeds look to be in another Premier League transfer battle for Lyon forward Pavel Sulc.
Sport Witness have covered reports that the Whites and Aston Villa have sent scouts to watch him in action while Everton are also interested.
It has even been claimed elsewhere that those at Elland Road are preparing a €25m (£21.2m). Concrete negotiations have taken place with Lyon making clear the latter fee was their asking price.
Leeds United have been linked with a summer transfer swoop for Pavel Sulc.(Image: (Photo by Pat Elmont – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Aarons targeted
Leeds United are one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing Max Aarons from Bournemouth.
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Coventry and Nottingham Forest have also shown an interest but he has specificied that the Whites are very interested in order to secure cover at left-back.
AS Roma have also left the race for his signature after bringing in Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid which seemingly gives Leeds a better chance of signing him.
Paixao transfer boost
Leeds United could take advantage of Marseille’s financial issues to sign Igor Paixao and those problems have been further exposed by their latest target.
Paixao joined the French club last summer over Leeds but could end up at Elland Road as Marseille struggle to afford new signings, largely due to missing out on a Champions League qualification place.
Foot Mercato have now claimed they are interested in a move for Krepin Diatta. He is a free agent after leaving AS Monaco with Marseille forced to look into that market as they are on a tight budget.
Selling Paixao could help their funds with Leeds potentially seeing this as their chance to strike.
Leeds United look to have been handed a Igor Paixao transfer boost(Image: (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images))
Good morning
Hello and welcome back to our Leeds United transfer news live blog!
For all the latest updates and rumours, stay with us right here throughout the day…
Daniel Farke, manager of Leeds United(Image: Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
Manor Solomon transfer twist
Manor Solomon could be available for transfer to Leeds United, after a proposed move to West Ham United broke down.
Ex-Leeds talent wishes Trafford well
Taking to Instagram upon the announcement of James Trafford’s arrival at Elland Road, Archie Gray wrote: “Good luck mate!” with a love-heart eyes emoji, alongside yellow and blue hearts.
The 20-year-old midfielder broke through the youth academy with United in 2022, before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2024.
Former Leeds United starlet Archie Gray(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Who would you like to see Leeds United sign this summer?
Let us know in the comments…
Torino close in on Perri
Reports suggest that Lucas Perri is closing in on a move to Torina amid the unveiling of James Trafford at Elland Road.
Perri lost his place as Leeds’ No. 1 last season(Image: 2026 Robin Jones)
Lyon manager on Sulc
Leeds United-linked midfielder Pavel Sulc could leave Lyon this summer with head coach Paulo Fonseca hinting that his future could be elsewhere.
“Pavel is currently injured,” Lyon boss Fonseca said. “He has inflammation in his knee. He came back to us quite late after the World Cup and wasn’t in his best physical shape. He himself really wanted to play in Prague, but unfortunately that’s not possible.
“There are options out there. We really value him here – he had an excellent season last year. I can’t say right now whether he’ll leave or not. Pavel’s value is very high, and every club in Europe will be keeping a close eye on him.”
Leeds United have been linked with a summer transfer swoop for Pavel Sulc.(Image: (Photo by Pat Elmont – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Gelhardt latest
Joe Gelhardt is still expected to be sold by Leeds United this summer with several Championship clubs, including Birmingham City, having submitted enquires.
Meanwhile, Hull City remain interested after he helped fire them to promotion to the Premier League season with 14 goals in the second tier.
Joe Gelhardt is looking for a new club(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Leeds announce Trafford signing
Leeds United have finally announced the £40million plus add-ons signing of James Trafford from Manchester City.
The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, having completed his medical this week, making him the most expensive British goalkeeper to date.
He becomes the club’s third summer arrival after Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson came through the doors.
James Trafford – finally – signs for Leeds United(Image: Leeds United)
Trafford move nears
Manchester City have reached an agreement with Marseille for Geronimo Rulli, according to a report from Foot Mercato, giving Leeds United the greenlight to sign James Trafford.
City have identified the Argentina international as their preferred option to become the club’s second-choice to Gianluigi Donnarumma following James Trafford’s departure for Leeds.
James Trafford is Leeds-bound(Image: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Solomon transfer decision
Former Leeds United winger Manor Solomon’s proposed move from Tottenham to West Ham is currently OFF due to financial reasons, according to The Athletic.
The Hammers, who were relegated to the Championship last season, are looking to pay £5million to Spurs for Solomon but are not prepared to agree to the bonuses in place should the east London club seal an immediate return to the Premier League.
Solomon, 27, scored 10 goals in 41 appearances during a successful loan spell at Leeds in 2024/25.
Tottenham winger Manor Solomon(Image: Getty Images)
Wilson on Farke
Harry Wilson says Daniel Farke’s pre-season training regime at Leeds United reminds him of his time at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp’s self-described ‘heavy metal’ football relied on player fitness and relentless running, and Farke himself requires his players to apply good work-rate. He is known for pushing his players in pre-season and many have described how this helps their fitness output later on in the season.
“It’s been really tough,” Wilson, who only played twice under Klopp, told the BBC. “I think from my younger days when I was at Liverpool with Jurgen – I don’t know if it’s a German thing – but there’s a lot of running involved and it’s been definitely more than what I’ve done the last few years for sure.”
He added: “It has been quite physically demanding, but I think we feel a lot better for it on the pitch. We did a one-kilometre run in the first week and that was something Jurgen used to do as well.”
Harry Wilson was speaking after full-time(Image: LUTV)
Former loanee heading to Spain
Facundo Buonanotte, who spent the second half of last season at Leeds United, is heading to Elche on loan for 2026/27, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Brighton midfielder struggled for form during his time at Elland Road but is now expected to depart for Spain with Elche closing in on securing his signature.
Facundo Buonanotte(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
‘I thought’ – Daniel Farke explains why he signed Harry Wilson amid Leeds United prediction
Daniel Farke is eager to allow Harry Wilson the freedom to utilise his creativity within his Leeds United set-up, seeing his arrival has a “major” boost to the team’s attacking threat.
Free agent Wilson has played in all three pre-season games so far, often being deployed as the number 10 but being allowed to roam into spaces. His showings so far have displayed his front-foot intention and initiative to instigate attacks.
Daniel Farke wants to give Harry Wilson license to be creative(Image: YouTube/Men In Blazers)
Nelson Deossa transfer twist
Spanish outlet Mundo Betis claims that Leeds United areinterested in signing Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deossa this summer.
Interestingly, the Colombian, who scored against Arsenal in a pre-season friendly last night, turned down a move to Brazilian side Vasco de Gama.
Leeds could now benefit from that transfer twist, with fellow Premier League side Ipswich Town keen on the 26-year-old, as are West Ham United and Wolves.
James Trafford knock-on effect
Fabrizio Romano claims James Trafford’s arrival at Leeds United will pave the way for Lucas Perri to join Serie A side Torino.
The Brazilian signed for the Whites last summer with the intention of becoming number one at Elland Road, but struggled to nail down a spot, with Karl Darlow keeping him out of the side.
Perri lost his place as Leeds’ No. 1 last season(Image: 2026 Robin Jones)
Harry Wilson on Ethan Ampadu chats
New Leeds United signing Harry Wilson has joked he almost had to block Ethan Ampadu due to his persistence in making a move to Elland Road come to fruition.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Wilson said: “I almost had to block Ethan! He played a big role. I’m really close with all the Welsh boys here.
“DJ (Dan James), I’ve played with since we were 14. Joe (Rodon), similar.”
Harry Wilson is a Leeds United player, in part thanks to two new clubmates(Image: Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United via Getty Images)
Hamburg director speaks out on Bornauw transfer
As reported previously, the transfer interest in Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw has been confirmed by Hamburg SV’s sporting director.German outlet Hamburger Abendblatt have reported that Bornauw is among ‘three or four’ centre-backs being seriously considered by the club.”We are familiar with both players,” he said, as quoted by BuliNews when asked about interest the Leeds defender and Nice’s Terem Moffi.“They are on the list of players we are looking at. It’s not as if the deals are imminent, however.”
‘Talks ongoing’
BILD claim that talks are ongoing with HSV Hamburg and Leeds United over a transfer for Sebastiaan Bornauw this summer.
It’s claimed Hamburg’s sporting director Claus Costa is making constant phonecalls to find a replacement for Luka Vuskovic following the end of his loan from Tottenham.
Hamburger Morgenpost claim the Bundesliga side are plotting a loan move for the experienced Belgian.