Leeds looked at three other attackers in the January window in addition to Swansea winger Daniel James, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay.
And the really interesting name is PSG attacker Jese Rodriguez. He’s lost his way slightly since his move from Real Madrid but has two Champions League medals to his name.
Jese moved to Real Betis on loan in the January window but not before Leeds had looked into getting him in at Elland Road.
Talking on Episode 51 of the Inside Elland Road podcast (23 mins) Hay said, “Leeds did look at other wingers in the January transfer window.
“Steven Zuber at Hoffenheim, who I don’t think Bielsa was 100% sold on. Callum O’Dowda at Bristol City who was seen as the back-up to Dan James.
“Interesting one was Jese, Spanish midfielder at PSG, again someone they looked at but it didn’t get off the ground and I think Bielsa was already convinced that James was the man they were going for.”
OPINION
It sounds like Swansea stuffed Leeds twice in the January transfer window. First over the actual deal for James, which fell apart in dramatic fashion on deadline day. But secondly, by keeping the deal going for so long, before finally pulling the plug, Swansea stopped Leeds going back in for any of their other targets. Jese would have been a fascinating addition to the team. This is a player who cost £22.5million when PSG bought him from Real Madrid in 2016. He might have lost his way since then, including a stint at Stoke which didn’t do his reputation in England any good, but we think he would he recaptured his spark under Bielsa. When you look at what he’s done with last year’s Leeds squad, the prospect of him working with a player like Jese is mouth-watering. It’s a big shame this didn’t happen.