Joseph Paintsil has sealed a £7 million move to LA Galaxy months after confirming that he had turned down Championship duo Leeds United and Southampton.
In truth, The Saints may have no one to blame but themselves after missing out on the KRC Genk talisman during the summer of 2023.
Joseph Paintsil witnessed just how badly Southampton handled the adaptation of his former Genk team-mate Paul Onuachu – prolific in Belgium but starved of service at St Mary’s – so who could blame the winger really for saying ‘thanks but no thanks’?
Joseph Paintsil rejected Leeds and Southampton
“There were many possibilities,” Paintsil, who also turned down another Championship giant in Leeds United, told Het Laatste Nieuws after the transfer window closed in September 2023.
“When my agent said that I could go to Southampton and Leeds United, it quickly became clear to me that I did not want to leave Genk for those clubs.
“Look, every player has certain expectations. My dream is to one day play in the Premier League. Or at least in a top -five European league.
“I don’t want to say that Southampton and Leeds are bad teams, but they couldn’t convince me.”
Presumably, Paintsil feels that his ‘dream’ of representing a club in one of Europe’s elite leagues can be achieved via a stint across The Atlantic. Seven months after rebuffing the advances of Leeds and Southampton, the 26-year-old Ghana international has put pen to paper with LA Galaxy of the American MLS.
With Leeds and Southampton both very well placed to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, the former winning eight in a row ahead of Friday’s crunch clash with league leaders Leicester City, it looks for all the world that Daniel Farke’s side or Russell Martin’s Saints will be gracing England’s top flight far sooner than Paintsil.
Genk star moves to America
“Joseph has been a key member of one of the best clubs in Belgium’s top flight and one of Africa’s most prominent national teams over the past few years. And we are thrilled to announce that he is joining the LA Galaxy,” general manager Will Kuntz tells the club’s official website, Paintsil reportedly becoming their second-most expensive ever signing.
“We are looking forward to adding such a dynamic attacker in the prime of his career to our group, and for him to be a key figure in our pursuit of our next trophies.”
Paintsil produced a staggering 18 goals and 14 assists for Genk in 2022/23.
If there is one position where Leeds are stocked with talent, however, it’s in the attacking midfield roles, Crysencio Summerville, Daniel James, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and a revitalised Willy Gnonto all capable of playing in one of the three positions behind the centre-forward.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
