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Noel Whelan comments on Daniel James’s failed Leeds United move

Leeds United corner flag before the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on February 25, 2017 in ...
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Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United could not sign Daniel James from Swansea City on January transfer deadline day.

Gary Gardner of Birmingham City attempts to tackle Daniel James of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at Liberty Stadium on January...

Noel Whelan gave his take on Leeds United’s failed move for Swansea City youngster Daniel James on The Noel Whelan Show on BBC Radio Leeds on Friday evening (6pm, February 1, 2019).

According to The Telegraph, James had passed a medical at Leeds on January transfer deadline day and was all set to join the West Yorkshire outfit from Swansea.

However, the Swans decided not to go ahead with the transfer late on, according to the report, with the Welsh outfit themselves releasing a statement on their official website.

Former Leeds striker Whelan has criticised Swansea, and has said that he feels for 21-year-old James, who can operate as a winger or as an attacking midfielder.

Whelan said about James on The Noel Whelan Show on BBC Radio Leeds on Friday evening (6pm, February 1, 2019): “I feel sorry for him. Before last night I thought the deal would be done and dusted, and woke up this morning and saw the news.

“He must be absolutely devastated by what’s happened because he has to go back to a club that’s basically stitched him right up. Really, really bad business by Swansea, I mean, you just can’t do that.”

Daniel James of Swansea City shoots on goal as Michael Morrison of Birmingham City attempts to block him during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at...

Moving on

James is a very good and talented young player, and the Wales international would have been a smart long-term signing for Leeds.

Leeds will be bitterly disappointed that they could not bring James to Elland Road, but the Whites will have to move on.

There is no point in thinking ‘what might have been’, and Marcelo Bielsa’s side will just have to focus on their promotion challenge.

Daniel James of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at the Liberty Stadium on January 29, 2019 in Swansea, Wales.