Leeds United are “pretty adamant” that winger Dan James will be staying with the club this season, amid interest in the Welshman this summer.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Whites’ potential transfer dealings during the final knockings of the transfer window.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a ‘shock’ move for James after the club paid Manchester United a reported £25m for his services just last summer.
The 24-year-old, who has been dubbed as a “top player” by Spurs and Wales defender Ben Davies, would likely be thought of as a replacement for Valencia-bound Bryan Gil, however, talks for the Welshman are not advanced, with Spurs’ main focus on trimming their squad before the transfer deadline.
And O’Rourke believes that this will be as far as the move goes, with Leeds intending to keep James at Elland Road this summer.
He said: “I just don’t see any deal happening here.
“I think Leeds are pretty adamant that Dan James will be remaining at Elland Road, and even with Tottenham’s interest, I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
We believe that Leeds fans will be happy to hear O’Rourke’s point of view, with the club having already had to deal with a massive overhaul of the squad this summer following the sales of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha to Manchester City and Barcelona respectively.
However, the 34-cap Wales international hasn’t set the world alight since his move from the Red Devils last summer, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 39 appearances for the Whites, according to Transfermarkt.
Therefore, we think that if Spurs offer more than what Leeds paid for the wide-man 12 months ago, Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta should seriously consider the prospect of letting James leave Elland Road this summer, though it would appear that he remains of importance to the side, based on O’Rourke’s comments.
There have been many rumours linking Harrison and James with a move but let’s face it what idiot would want to sell either player knowing there is not the slightest possibility of Orta buying any better player in this window. In fact since the sixth addition, Orta has been back to his much loved ‘scouting for boys’. In my opinion there has never been any intention to buy any more players for the first team.
While this mind set continues, we will never be able to rise above mid table at best. I feel sorry for the youth players, that have been promised so much, yet are like lambs being fatten up for market.