An update has emerged about Manchester United winger Dan James, regarding Leeds' interest in his services.
What's the talk?
According to the print edition of the Scottish Mail on Sunday (p129: 11/07), as transcribed by TBRF, Leeds are continuing to track Manchester United forward Dan James. Victor Orta has reignited his interest in the winger, over two years on from failing to land him in the January window of the 2018/19 campaign.
The report claims that United's purchase of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund could make James attainable for Leeds this summer.
Imagine him and Raphinha
Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa could finally land the dream signing he wanted back in the Championship when James was plying his trade for Swansea.
Sancho arriving at Old Trafford could present Leeds with the perfect opportunity to swoop in and secure a deal for James, whether that be on a permanent basis or on loan. The England international scored more goals last season for Dortmund (17) than James has in his entire career (15) for club and country, whilst he is also two years younger.
That is not to disparage James and what he could bring to Leeds. The calibre of player required to play for United is higher than that of Leeds, at this moment in time, because of their participation in the Champions League. The Lillywhites are currently a few steps below that and James could help them move up one or two levels to eventually be competing with Man United.
The Welsh international is rapid when running up and down the wing and he could excite fans with his lung-bursting runs in the Premier League. Speaking in 2019, United's Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira highlighted James as the fasted player in the squad and said that is "explosive" in his sprints to get to the ball.
He told Manchester United's official website:
“The fastest for sprinting? It is Dan James, for sure!
“He is so explosive and so fast. When you think about having to run to the ball, he’s very fast to it.”
This highlights the style of play Leeds fans could expect from James and it could lead to the tantalising prospect of seeing both him and Raphinha on the wings for Bielsa's side.
Raphinha may not have the blistering pace you would associate with James, but he has the technical quality to glide past players and he is certainly no slouch himself. The Brazilian averaged 1.9 dribbles per game as he scored six and assisted nine goals in the Premier League last term.
Imagine Leeds breaking away on the counter and seeing Raphinha and James bombing towards the opposition goal. It could be frightening for defenders due to their combination of skill and pace, which is why Leeds bringing the United forward in could be a shrewd piece of business.
AND in other news, Orta must seal Leeds swoop for 17-goal "phenomenon", he's a big upgrade on Harrison...