Tottenham Hotspur have been rocked with a late twist on deadline day, and it won't leave sporting director Fabio Paratici very happy...

What's the word?

According to the Telegraph's Mike McGrath, Spurs transfer target Daniel James has been left " in limbo" over a potential exit from Leeds United today.

It seems unlikely that the Wales international will be allowed to depart as the Yorkshire side have failed to hit a breakthrough with their own business, where they have attempted to sign PSV's Cody Gakpo and Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan.

The 24-year-old is free to speak to other teams, with Premier League rivals Everton, Fulham and Leicester City all keeping an eye on developments, though it would be a surprise to see him move at this stage.

Paratici will be gutted

This news will surely set the Spurs supremo back as he looks to bolster Antonio Conte's attacking options this late in the summer window.

Moves for the likes of Ruslan Malinovskyi and Yannick Carrasco have failed to materialise over the last few weeks, leaving the former Juventus chief looking a little closer to home.

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Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that the Lilywhites were "back in negotiations" with Leeds over a deal for James, which would be an initial loan with an option to buy - but he also claimed that the diminutive winger was happy at Elland Road.

This could well be a blessing in disguise, given the Welshman's struggles in the top-flight, particularly in west Yorkshire, where his run of 18 straight matches without a goal has led to criticism from the press.

LeedsLive contributor Conor McGilligan deemed him to be a "headless chicken" who runs about for 20 minutes, whilst club legend Ian Harte questioned his lack of end product, claiming: "Let’s be honest, if he didn’t have the pace, he wouldn’t play in the Premier League. He doesn’t have the knowledge or the know-how."

An average of one goal or assist every 314 minutes for the Whites is a pretty poor record for an attack-minded winger that has also played upfront and cost an eye-watering £30m.

But given it is Paratici and co who want to sign him, they will surely be left frustrated by these developments at Leeds heading into the final few hours of the window.

AND in other news, Talks underway: Spurs plot late move for £33m "enigma", Conte can forget Malinovskyi...