Leeds United were convinced they had the signing of Daniel James in the bag because Andrea Radrizzani had reached an agreement with one of Swansea’s owners over the deal, according to Phil Hay.
Speaking to the latest edition of the Inside Elland Road podcast (4:50), the Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent revealed new details in United’s failed winter window pursuit of the winger.
He explained how Leeds were convinced a deal was in place with Swansea following a personal intervention from their owner Radrizzani.
Hay said: “It was agreed by Swansea’s owners, one of whom knows Andrea Radrizanni, and that’s why Leeds thought they had it in the bag.
“There was a late issue with the payment of the loan fee. The deal was for Leeds to pay £1.5million at the end of the season. Swansea wanted £750,000 up front, which Leeds were happy to do.
“Essentially, the phones went quiet because Huw Jenkins, the [former] chairman did not want to sell and disagreed with the owners, he didn’t want to do it.”
OPINION
No wonder Leeds were privately letting it be known they were very confident James was set to be confirmed as a new signing by the end of the January window. An agreement between owners is about as high-up you can get over any transfer, and Leeds were clearly convinced all hurdles had been clear. They were not to know the internal politics of Swansea, or that ex-chairman Jenkins effectively overruled his bosses, the Americans Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, who bought a controlling interest in the club in July 2016. The long-standing chairman then fell on his sword two days later when he resigned his position, claiming he could no longer work for owners he fundamentally disagreed with on so many issues. That, though, doesn’t help Leeds. They did not make a senior outfield signing in January, while losing Samuel Saiz and Lewis Baker. The goalkeeper position has been strengthened, but it’s hard to disagree the team are weaker in terms of creativity and invention.