BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has said that Swansea “stitched” Leeds up not once but twice over their handing of the Daniel James transfer.
Talking on the Noel Whelan Show (BBC Radio Leeds, Friday, 6pm), he said the debacle that unfolded on transfer deadline day was a “shambles” and placed the blame firmly at Swansea’s door.
“It was a shambles. I feel sorry for the player,” Whelan said when asked what he made of the situation .
“Before last night I thought the deal would be done and dusted, and then I woke up to this.
“He [James] must be absolutely devastated and has to go back to a club that’s basically stitched him right up. Really, really bad business by Swansea, you just can’t do that.
“I know what it’s like, he’s come all the way from Swansea, down to Leeds, done his medical, been there all day, waiting to sign and looking forward to enjoying his game. How do you go back there now?
“I’m sure he’ll be professional and you can understand the fury of his agent. It must be so frustrating and annoying. Swansea left Leeds no time to go back to their second choice, so on two hands they’ve stitched them up.”
OPINION
That’s one thing that’s not really been discussed much. Swansea obviously stitched Leeds up over the Daniel James deal, and screwed their own player over at the same time. James’ agent put out a furious statement today saying that Swansea made no effort to keep his client and gave him up at the first sniff of money. That bodes well for the future. But there are deeper ramifications over the deal that tread dangerously into really poor sporting conduct. If Swansea weren’t going to sanction the deal, and it sounds like there was internal conflict, then they should have made that clear with enough time for Leeds to move onto another option. Swansea fans might find it funny but they wouldn’t if the boot was on the other foot. It’s ironic that while Leeds are getting investigated for watching a training session from a public road, Swansea will get away with this without a mention. What’s that? There’s no rule against what they did? Don’t try that excuse on with Leeds fans, it won’t go well.