‘Noises from Rotterdam’ about Aston Villa paying big fee for signing – Desire for blockbuster transfer
Aston Villa Enter the Race for Feyenoord Star Igor Paixão Amid Record-Breaking Transfer Demands
Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as the latest high-profile club to express a serious interest in signing Feyenoord winger Igor Paixão, who continues to attract widespread attention following a sensational season in the Eredivisie.
The 24-year-old Brazilian forward was one of Feyenoord’s most consistent and influential performers during the 2023/24 campaign, netting 18 goals and contributing 19 assists across 47 appearances in all competitions. His explosive pace, vision, and attacking instincts have made him a standout talent in the Dutch top flight — and his growing reputation is now drawing interest from some of Europe’s more ambitious clubs, including Aston Villa.
According to a report from Algemeen Dagblad, there have been significant developments in recent days, with “noises from Rotterdam” suggesting that Aston Villa are not only monitoring Paixão closely but are also prepared to make a considerable financial commitment to secure his services. The Premier League side, under manager Unai Emery, are believed to be targeting offensive reinforcements this summer, especially with the added demands of European football next season.
The Dutch newspaper also notes that Feyenoord are not in a hurry to sell the player and are in a strong negotiating position, having tied Paixão down to a long-term contract just last November. The new deal, signed under the stewardship of club legend and current coach Robin van Persie, runs until the summer of 2029 — a clear signal that the club views Paixão as a key part of their future unless they receive a transformative offer.
Reports suggest that Feyenoord are hoping to break their own transfer record with any potential sale of the Brazilian. The club’s most lucrative outgoing deals to date are the transfers of Santiago Giménez to AC Milan and Mats Wieffer to Brighton & Hove Albion, both of which brought in around €32 million. Now, it is understood that Feyenoord are seeking a figure exceeding that amount for Paixão, in what would be a historic fee for the Rotterdam outfit.
While Aston Villa are rumoured to be willing to meet these financial expectations, Algemeen Dagblad cautions that any deal remains in the early stages, stating that Paixão’s departure is “still a long way off at the moment.” The situation remains fluid, and much will depend on the player’s own wishes as well as how negotiations evolve in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Brazilian sports outlet Globo Esporte recently caught up with Paixão to get his thoughts on a potential move away from the Eredivisie. The player, while not naming any clubs specifically, made it clear that he has ambitions to play in one of Europe’s top leagues — and Aston Villa could represent the perfect next step in his career.
> “Showing my football, being recognised by the big clubs, is gratifying,” Paixão said in the interview. “I dream of getting to a big team — it is the fruit of my work. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.”
With Aston Villa preparing for a demanding 2024/25 season — one that includes domestic competition and another European campaign — the addition of a dynamic and versatile winger like Paixão could add depth, pace, and creativity to Emery’s attacking options. However, with Feyenoord’s firm stance and a potentially record-breaking fee involved, this is a transfer saga that may continue to unfold throughout the summer window.