Leeds United Urged to Forget Paixao as £34M Star Emerges as Dream Signing

Leeds United have already made several smart additions this summer, but Daniel Farke still appears to need one more attacking player before the Premier League campaign gets serious.

The Whites have improved their squad in defence and midfield, while Harry Wilson has also arrived to add more creativity. However, there is still a feeling that Leeds need a player who can produce something unexpected in the final third.

Igor Paixao has been strongly linked with a move to Elland Road, but the Marseille winger could be a very expensive option. That is why another name deserves serious attention.

Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli has emerged as a potential alternative, and his numbers from last season suggest Leeds could actually be getting a better all-round attacking player.

The 24-year-old is also attracting interest from several clubs, meaning Leeds would have competition if they decide to push ahead with a move.

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Abde Ezzalzouli could give Leeds the spark they need

Leeds were one of the more difficult teams to play against towards the end of last season.

Farke built a strong side that was capable of competing physically and defending well, but there remains one important question. Where will the moments of real quality come from?

The club has had creative players in previous years who could change matches with one piece of skill.

Players such as Raphinha, Pablo Hernandez, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all brought something different to the attack. Leeds need someone who can produce that type of magic again.

Ezzalzouli could be that player. The Real Betis winger is normally used from the left, where his pace and dribbling allow him to attack defenders directly.

His numbers from 2025/26 are particularly interesting. He scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in La Liga, giving him 18 goal contributions. That was a better return than Paixao managed in Ligue 1.

The Betis star also created 11 big chances, showing that he is not simply a player who wants to score himself. He can create opportunities for teammates as well.

Ezzalzouli compares well with Paixao

Paixao remains a talented player and Leeds have good reason to be interested in him. The Brazilian enjoyed a productive campaign for Marseille and was particularly impressive in European competition.

He scored four goals and supplied one assist in only eight Champions League appearances. That shows he can perform on a major stage.

However, his domestic numbers were not quite as strong as some may expect from a player who could cost Leeds around £43m.

In Ligue 1, Paixao scored six goals and created five assists. Ezzalzouli, meanwhile, scored 10 and assisted eight in La Liga.

The Spanish winger also produced more key passes per game, completed more successful dribbles and won far more duels.

Those numbers suggest he could offer Leeds more than just goals. For a team that sometimes needs a player to break defensive lines and create something from nothing, that could be extremely valuable.

Leeds could face £34m transfer battle

Signing Ezzalzouli will not be easy. Reports suggest Real Betis would want around €40m, which is approximately £34m, before considering a sale.

Leeds are not the only Premier League club interested either. Newcastle United and Aston Villa have reportedly been linked, while Italian side Roma are also believed to be monitoring the situation.

Galatasaray are another serious contender. That means Leeds would need to act quickly if Farke and the recruitment team decide Ezzalzouli is the right player.

The reported £34m price tag is still a major investment, but it could look more attractive when compared with the potential cost of signing Paixao.

Leeds have already shown this summer that they are prepared to spend when they believe a player can make a major difference.

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Ezzalzouli’s defensive work is another advantage

One of the most interesting parts of Ezzalzouli’s numbers is his work without the ball. He averaged 6.7 total duels won per game last season.

That is a significant figure and shows he is not simply an attacking player who waits for possession. Farke demands work from his players when they do not have the ball, particularly in wide areas.

A winger who can contribute defensively while also providing goals and assists is extremely useful. Ezzalzouli’s dribbling is another major strength.

He completed around 1.3 successful dribbles per game, compared with 0.9 for Paixao.

That extra ability to beat a defender could give Leeds another way to break down deep Premier League defences.

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Leeds attacking options compared

Figures shown are league-only for the 2025/26 season where provided.

For Leeds, this could be a very important decision.

Paixao has the Champions League experience and remains a very exciting option, but Ezzalzouli appears to offer a more complete attacking package based on last season’s domestic numbers.

He is younger, creative, dangerous in one-on-one situations and willing to work defensively.

Most importantly, he could give Leeds something they have been missing for some time: unpredictability.

Farke has already built a team that should be difficult to beat.

Now he needs players who can win matches.

If Leeds can convince Betis to sell and beat the competition for his signature, Ezzalzouli could become one of the most exciting additions of their summer window.

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