Leeds United failed to sign Swansea City winger Daniel James in the January transfer window.
Swansea City winger Daniel James has told The Telegraph that life has been ‘different’ for him in the aftermath of his failed Leeds United move.
James, 21, has impressed with Swansea this season, scoring two goals and four assists in the Championship, and his work with Wales has seen him hit the headlines.
The rapid winger has been a sensation for Wales in this international break, and tore Slovakia apart throughout Sunday’s 1-0 win, which included him scoring the winning goal.
James is on a path to stardom right now, but whilst he’ll return to domestic action with Swansea this week, it should be with Leeds United.
Leeds chased James throughout the January transfer window, and as noted by The Telegraph, they agreed a deal worth £8.5million; £1.5million in a loan fee and a £7million permanent deal if Leeds won promotion.
James took his medical with Leeds on deadline day in January, but the deal collapsed as Swansea failed to sign off on the move, leaving the winger to trudge back to South Wales.
James has remained committed to Swansea, but has now admitted that life has been ‘different’ in the sense that he couldn’t get a kick this time last year, yet now he’s the subject of a transfer saga.
The youngster added that he’s glad Swansea fans have been great with him despite being close to an exit, feeling that nothing has changed in that regard, as he will keep playing football and enjoying his time with Swansea – even though Leeds may well return with a new move this summer.
“It’s been different,” said James. “This time last season I wasn’t playing first-team football but it’s something that can happen. If you get your opportunity you can take it and now it’s a case of ‘can I do more?’ I got back to Swansea [after the move collapsed] and the fans have been great with me. Nothing had changed for me. It was about keeping playing football and enjoying it, and that’s what I’ve been doing,” he added.
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