Andrea Radrizzani has responded to a Leeds fan who asked him why he tried to “pull the wool” over the eyes of the Swansea owners in the deal for Daniel James in January.
Leeds thought the deal was done after James took a medical at Elland Road but Swansea pulled out at the last minute, refusing to ratify the deal. Now, Sky Sports have reported that Man United are closing in on a £15million deal to sign him.
The Leeds fan asked “Were you really that skint” and claimed that Radrizzani had tried to rip Swansea off by paying the loan fee at the end of the season.
Radrizzani responded directly to him saying, “I don’t know how to explain it anymore… I could try in Chinese if you prefer :). The deal was done and agreed between owners! What should I have done more?”
He finished by saying he hoped the fan would enjoy the play-offs and asked him to support the players.
Jake, I don’t know how to explain it anymore…I could try in Chinese if you prefer 🙂 ..::the Deal was done and agreed between owners !! What should I have done more ? Enjoy the game and support the lads who have been working very hard since July
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) May 10, 2019
OPINION
Transfers are often not paid up front. In fact that’s becoming a much more common occurrence these days and Radrizzani has a point. Ignore the financials behind the deal, the deal was agreed with Swansea and the player took a medical at Elland Road. Unfortunately Leeds fell victim to an internal power struggle at Swansea between the American owners and Huw Jenkins. The deal was never signed off and as the deadline ticked over, Leeds were still waiting for the paperwork to come through. It was a big blow for Leeds but you’ve got to have sympathy with Radrizzani. He did everything his end and there’s not much more he could have done. If Swansea had demanded the money up front then that would have been a different discussion and Leeds might have found some way to make it happen. As it was the blame lies with Swansea not Leeds over this, although you can understand fans’ frustrations.