Leeds United

Leeds United: Beren Cross says Dan James won’t have been happy to be told he had to leave

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Image for Leeds United: Beren Cross says Dan James won’t have been happy to be told he had to leave

Journalist Beren Cross has stated that it must have been ‘very tough’ for Dan James to hear he wasn’t wanted by Leeds United this summer. 

On the final day of the past transfer window, the Welsh winger left his side to move on loan for the season.

Indeed, James joined Fulham, and it seems as though that deal was done to accommodate the signing of Italian international Wilfried Gnonto.

Speaking to the press (via LeedsLive) about the deals, manager Jesse Marsch admitted that if Leeds were to ‘add something’ they ‘needed to move something’ – and James was evidently told he can leave.

Reacting to this news, Cross stated that this must have been pretty hard for the Welshman to hear. The journalist told a LeedsLive Facebook stream: “He [Marsch] admitted that the club did need to move somebody on in order to make a space for somebody to come in, which I think was news to some of us.

“And he said that James was the player who was garnering most interest, and in recent weeks, it’s been discussed, there have been some very open conversations with James, allegedly – which [must] have been hard for Dan James to hear that.

“To basically be told that, effectively, if we can get the striker we want, you’re gonna go. So that’s very, very tough for him to hear.

“And Marsch admitted that his family’s very happy here. James didn’t want to go, James is very happy here.”

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With Leeds in the market for a new forward – as evidenced by the eventual deal for Gnonto – they clearly viewed James as a disposable asset, especially with Tottenham Hotspur also linked with a possible £20m move for the winger.

In the end, Fulham came in with an acceptable proposal and James was told to head out. Understandably, this wouldn’t have been nice to hear.

Still, James was yet to play a full game in a Leeds shirt this season, so he clearly wasn’t a key part of Marsch’s plans. And with just four goals in 40 games for the Whites, he seemingly didn’t do enough to convince.

Football can be a cruel sport at times, and with Marsch feeling as though Gnonto can offer more, James has been kicked to the curb.

Is Daniel James good enough for Leeds?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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