‘I don’t want him to go’: Hasselbaink reacts to Leeds transfer rumour on deadline day

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has shared that he ‘doesn’t want’ Dan James to leave Leeds United FC on transfer deadline day, as he told Sky Sports News.

Only hours remain before the 2022 summer transfer window slams shut at 11 pm and James could be headed for the exit door at Elland Road.

The 24-year-old is the subject of heavy interest late on in the window, with Tottenham previously dipping their name into the hat, but now it seems he could join Fulham.

The 2022 World Cup is around the corner and James needs regular minutes if he wants to be at his best for Wales and their first WC tournament in over five decades.

Therefore, it’s understandable why James would be keen to move before the deadline because he was on the bench for his side’s last game.

Nonetheless, despite all this talk, former Leeds striker and current Burton boss, Hasselbaink, wants James to stay put in Yorkshire because he feels he can grow as a player under Jesse Marsch.

“He needs game time, but I would like to see him game time at Leeds itself,” said Hasselbaink. “I wouldn’t want to see him go to another club. I think Leeds will end up needing him.

“I still think he is somebody who is young and is still developing. Yes, there is a lot of pressure at Leeds with the crowd at Elland Road.

“But I think the more and more he plays for Leeds, the better he will become. I would like him to stay at Leeds, if he can.”

DIFFICULT 12 MONTHS FOR JAMES

James playing for Leeds was a long time in the making because they wanted the speedster when they were in the Championship.

It has been well-documented how he was at Elland Road, ready to sign, before the plug was pulled and he ended up staying at Swansea City.

But Marcelo Bielsa eventually got his man back last summer from Manchester United, although, it was a season of struggle for all.

The issue with James last season wasn’t his lack of quality, but the fact that the Whites had to play him in a central role, rather than out wide, because of injuries.