Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool are set to do battle off the pitch in the transfer market this January. As per reports from Arsenal Fanatics News, the Gunners and the Reds are interested in Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao, who has been a top performer for the Eredivisie side this season. His performances have caught the attention of several top clubs across Europe, with the English giants registering their early interest.
Aged 24 currently, the Brazilian can play off the right side or even the left, and plays a crucial role in the creative output for Feyenoord. He has made 24 appearances across competitions for the Dutch side this season, scoring five goals and providing 13 assists. Due to his importance for the team, the club may demand a fee of €30m-€35m for their player. However, considering the financial muscle Premier League clubs possess, this fee is unlikely to deter any suitors.
Paixao has also shown he can perform at the highest level, contributing five goals for Feyenoord in this season’s Champions League as well. With assists against Manchester City, Girona and Benfica, the Brazilian has shown he can perform at the level demanded in England, should clubs come to sign him.
A background on Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao
Born in Macapa, Brazil in 2000, Igor Paixao began his early playing career with local club Coritiba in 2014. He spent four years climbing up the ranks at the club, before making his senior debut for them in 2019. He made a total of 90 appearances for them, scoring an impressive 21 goals and providing 13 assists as well. He also spent a loan spell at Londrina, where he made 30 appearances and scored four goals.
His impressive rise to becoming a highly-rated prospect within Brazilian footballing circles led to the news spreading into Europe. Feyenoord were the first club aware of Paixao, signing him to a five-year contract in August 2022 for an undisclosed fee. He has since made 106 appearances for them, scoring 26 goals and providing 23 assists as well.
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Aged just 24 at the moment, he has several years of top level and this could be the right juncture in his career to make the step up to a club like Arsenal or Liverpool.
