Leeds United are believed to be keen on a late deal for Manchester United winger Daniel James – and Marcelo Bielsa is approving the move.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Bielsa would like Leeds to sign James for him before the transfer deadline on Tuesday night.
Bielsa doesn’t conduct Leeds’ transfer business, but does tell Leeds whether to not to make moves for certain players and whether their price tags are reasonable.
Victor Orta will be the man charged with the task of signing James – and few could blame him for being apprehensive about that.
Leeds tried to sign James from Swansea City in January 2019, and James was even at the Leeds offices taking photos ahead of his move.
In the end, Swansea pulled the plug and Orta was quite literally left in tears after a stressful day ended in no deal – and Manchester United then swooped in to sign him months later.
James is now thought to be available after Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to re-join Manchester United, so it’s no surprise that Leeds are back in the hunt.
A number of Premier League clubs are thought to be keen though, with a league-wide knowledge that United will listen to offers for James despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claiming he has an ‘X-factor’ out wide.
Leeds are keen on a loan or permanent move, but James is now valued at more than £20million by the Red Devils – much more than the deal Leeds agreed two-and-a-half years ago.
With blazing pace, James could give Leeds a third star winger alongside Jack Harrison and Raphinha whilst finally giving the Whites a successful end to a torrid transfer saga.
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