Aston Villa join race for £30m Leeds United target as Premier League rivals complete double Real Madrid swoop

Leeds United are heading back to the UK this week following the conclusion of their pre-season tour of America. Daniel Farke’s side ended on a positive note with a 4-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday with new signings Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic both settling down well.

There is hope Leeds can soon add to those two new arrivals with a club-record £40million deal for James Trafford close. Attacking quality is also wanted and with Julian Brandt joining Ajax last week, alternative options are being explored including a marquee target from summer 2025.

But that same target is also reportedly being eyed by a top-flight rival who can offer European football. And that’s where we begin our Premier League transfer round-up...

Villa join Paixao race

Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race for Leeds-linked winger Igor Paixao. L’Equipe report that Unai Emery’s side have enquired about the Brazilian’s availability with Marseille open to a sale after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season.

The YEP understands Paixao is among the options being assessed by Leeds, who came close to signing the 26-year-old last summer before he joined Marseille in a deal worth around £25.6m. In his debut campaign in France, the winger registered an impressive 12 goals and six assists in 42 games across all competitions.

Here at the YEP, we're running a HALF PRICE subscription deal throughout pre-season. Subscribe to ensure you catch every inch of our Leeds United coverage next season.

French outlet Foot Mercato recently reported that Marseille will request €50m (£42.8m) but according to L’Equipe, a minimum €35m (£30m) is being demanded. It remains to be seen if Leeds will actively pursue Paixao this month but potential rivals Villa can offer Champions League football.

Fulham double deal completed

Fulham have confirmed the arrival of Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios for a combined fee believed to be worth £42.8m. Striker Garcia and attacking midfielder Palacios have each signed five-year contracts at Craven Cottage to follow manager Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa was appointed Fulham boss earlier this summer and previously worked with his two new signings at Madrid, both with the academy and first-team. The Cottagers made attacking reinforcements a priority this summer following the exit of 2025/26 Player of the Season Wilson, who joined Leeds on a free transfer.

Garcia is the big-money signing of the two, joining Fulham for a reported £34.3m. The 22-year-old played 39 games for Madrid last season, scoring eight goals across all competitions, while Palacios made five substitute appearances at the Bernabeu.

Ipswich close on Burnley star

Ipswich Town are closing in on a £16million deal for Burnley midfielder Florentino Luis. The East Anglian Daily Times report a verbal agreement is in place with personal terms to be finalised before a move from Turf Moor to Portman Road is complete.

Luis joined Burnley on loan from Benfica last summer and after making 31 Premier League appearances for the relegated Clarets, a permanent obligation worth £20.6m was triggered. He now looks set to join another newly-promoted side in Ipswich, becoming their seventh summer signing.

The Tractor Boys have spent close to £100m so far this summer, with the likes of Brazilian striker Emersonn and former Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu among their most expensive arrivals. They will be looking to emulate Leeds and Sunderland in avoiding relegation.