Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao has hinted he would like to leave the club this summer amid growing reports of interest from Liverpool.
The winger has started every game for Feyenoord this season, scoring nine goals in 25 matches. It’s the sort of form that has resulted in speculation of a summer move and, invariably for any a player starring at Arne Slot ’s former side, a switch to Liverpool has been mooted.
A report in Todo Fichajes last week stated Paixao “has attracted the attention of several Premier League”, with the Reds monitoring the situation along with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Bournemouth. The outlet added scouts have been sent to watch Paixao, who is valued at €30 million ($32 million) by Feyenoord.
Just days later the club’s former manager Rob Jacobs encouraged Liverpool to sign Paixao this summer, claiming in an interview with Rijnmond that he is better than Cody Gakpo.
He said: “I really think he makes Liverpool stronger. Arne Slot must also enjoy his development? Gakpo is of course also a fantastic player and is doing well at Liverpool, but I think Paixao is better. It wouldn’t surprise me if Liverpool were to report to Feyenoord. €40M or €50M? They don’t make a fuss about that in England.
“He is getting better every day. Incredibly goal-oriented, he is the most dangerous man at Feyenoord,” Jacobs added. “Really nothing but praise, he scores brilliant goals. He wasn’t in the pre-selection of Brazil for nothing, that’s quite an elite club.”
The 24-year-old has now addressed his future, revealing he would be open to a summer transfer move.
(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
“I will do my best at Feyenoord until the end of the season,” Paixao told 1908.nl. “If I stay, that’s fine. And if I leave, that will be the result of my game here. In any case, I want to leave something beautiful here. Moreover, I still have a contract until 2029. I will then focus on Feyenoord. It is up to the Feyenoord board and my agents to determine what is best for everyone.”
Piaxao was initially brought to the Netherlands by Slot, and played 28 league games in Feyenoord’s 2022/23 title-winning campaign. The attacker’s rise this season saw him selected in Brazil’s preliminary squad earlier this month, although he missed out on the final team.
“With the help of the team and the staff, I’ve made maximum progress in a short time,” Paixao said in his recent interview. “I was happy with that preliminary [Brazil] selection, but unfortunately I wasn’t in the final. If I continue like this, I hope to represent my country one day.”
Liverpool could be in the market for attackers this summer with speculation stating that Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could leave, meaning Slot would be in the market for another winger.
