Paratici ‘likes’ £20m Leeds star – could he be Tottenham man Gil’s replacement?

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Alasdair Gold reports on the Gold & Guest podcast that Fabio Paratici ‘likes’ Leeds United star Dan James but Tottenham will only move for the Wales international if another leaves – could he be Bryan Gil’s replacement?

Reports emerged this week that Tottenham are eyeing up a surprise move for the ex-Manchester United star. James has struggled in his first 12 months at Elland Road, scoring just four goals in 38 league and cup outings.

Certainly, he is yet to repay the £25million outlay Leeds paid to sign him last summer. A player that almost joined Leeds in January 2020, while the Whites were still in the Championship – and James was still with Swansea.

He did impress in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Chelsea, and is likely to start against Brighton on Saturday. But James might be considered as a wing-back as well as a winger at Spurs. Gold says Paratici definitely likes him.

Could Leeds star James be Gil’s replacement?

Indeed, the previous report states that Tottenham are planning a loan-to-buy deal worth £20million. Leeds do have options out wide – in the form of Jack Harrison, new signing Luis Sinisterra and the exciting Crysencio Summerville.

Plenty of things have to happen before Ben Davies teams up with his Wales mate. Joe Rodon has given his verdict on James in the past, claiming the pocket-sized winger does not “have a bad bone in his body”.

Leeds will want a replacement, given he remains a crucial part of the side. In terms of Tottenham, Gil is a part of Conte’s first-team squad. He has been on the bench for all three Premier League games. But he could still go.

So, he will need to be replaced. Valencia are not giving up on Gil. They want him back on loan. A player that is naturally a winger, but could be an option at wing-back. The two areas Tottenham may see James playing.

It might be that interest in James comes with Gil potentially set to go on loan and back to Valencia. Antonio Conte wants a replacement if any of his first-team players go and Gil is that, right now. So, James could replace him.