An update has emerged on Manchester United winger Dan James, regarding Leeds' interest in signing him before the deadline.

What's the talk?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Whites are in advanced talks over the signing of the United winger on a permanent deal.

Marcelo Bielsa's side are now discussing personal terms with the forward ahead of officially completing the move before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Delight

United fans will surely be delighted with this news as it means that the club are set to receive a transfer fee for James that could go a long way to paying for Cristiano Ronaldo's move to the club. The Red Devils have agreed a €23m (£19.7m) deal to sign the Portuguese international.

Dan James joined United for a reported fee of £15m from Swansea and is currently rated at £16.2m by Transfermarkt. Romano does not mention how much Leeds are set to pay for the forward, but if it is within the region of £15-16m then that could pay for the bulk of Ronaldo's transfer fee - which could delight United fans as it is exceptional business on paper.

You only have to look at their respective league stats to see the difference in quality between the pair. James managed three goals and one assist in 15 Premier League matches, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.61 for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored 29 goals and provided three assists in 33 Serie A appearances for Juventus, averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.61. Despite being 36, the ex-Real Madrid attacker still enjoyed a sensational season with the Italian side, scoring goals at a superb rate, whereas James struggled to find consistency for United.

The club are now on the verge of potentially selling James for almost as much, or more depending on the final figures that are yet to be reported, as they have agreed to pay for Ronaldo. Of course, this does not take wages into account, but it is still great reading for United fans all the same and represents a shrewd piece of business by the club on and off the pitch.

In a year where their owners have been protested against in such stern fashion, they should be pleased that they're finally beginning to get things right.

Now, they can now look forward to Ronaldo potentially making his second debut for the club knowing that James' prospective sale may well help pay for the signing.