OPINION
Everton have been handed a big blow in their hunt to sign Swansea winger Daniel James with the Wales international reportedly heading to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
According to the Daily Mail, Everton were one of several clubs interested in signing James, 21, this summer, but the attacker’s heart was set on a switch to Old Trafford and he now looks set to agree a £67,000-a-week deal with the Red Devils.
It is understood that Swansea valued James at £30million, but it now seems as though Man United have been able to land the winger in an initial deal worth half of that, which will rise to £20million in the future.
Everton have missed out on signing a very good player here because James has been superb for Swansea in the Championship and would have been a very good addition at Goodison Park due to his rapid pace and ability to play on either wing.
James scored five goals and supplied 10 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for the Swans last season and almost joined Leeds United in January until the plug was pulled on a deadline day switch to Elland Road.
Since then the jet-heeled ace really lit up the second-tier and reportedly gained attention from Man United, Everton, Leicester, Brighton and Monaco.
According to stats by WhoScored, the Welsh winger completed an impressive 81 per cent of his passes in the Championship with Swansea and averaged 2.6 shots and 2.3 dribbles per match.
Everton’s Theo Walcott in comparison only had a pass completion percentage of 72.6 in the Premier League and only averaged 1.2 shots per game and 1.6 dribbles.
James is a lot younger than Walcott and the stats show that he had a better season than the former Arsenal winger, despite playing for a team that finished 10th in the table.
Everton have missed out here because James would have been a terrific signing for them.
Hopefully Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives the Wales international plenty of chances to impress next season, otherwise he could be the one who got away fro the Toffees.