Tottenham Hotspur were regularly linked with Leeds United winger Dan James in the final few days of the transfer window and Fabio Paratici dodged a bullet when Fulham signed the Wales international.

It was reported earlier in the week that Paratici was a fan of the former Manchester United man and was keen to sign him for Antonio Conte's side.

However, it was Fulham who would win the race for the 24-year-old, as they signed him on a loan deal from Jesse Marsch's. It's some fall from grace for a player who cost the Whites £30m this time last year.

The young winger has averaged a disappointing 6.3 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the Premier League so far this season, failing to contribute a single goal or an assist, so there is little to suggest that he would have been a worthwhile addition, particularly to a club who want to be challenging for trophies like Spurs.

His performances last season weren't much better, as he averaged a 6.44 rating from WhoScored after contributing four goals and four assists, which was significantly worse than the likes of Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and even Lucas Moura.

Leeds-focused journalist Conor McGilligan clearly wanted the winger gone from Elland Road this summer.

He said: "What is Dan James’ future at Leeds? Is he just going to be a 20-minute player where he comes on and runs around like a headless chicken for 20 minutes?"

With Richarlison also added to the squad this summer, it is difficult to see where James would have fit into Conte's squad, and his performances certainly don't suggest that he would cut it in the Champions League for Spurs this season.

 

In 86 Premier League appearances for Manchester United and Leeds, James has scored just ten goals, which again suggests that he would not have added much in the final third in Conte's side.

Therefore, while he might do well at Fulham, his Premier League statistics provide little evidence that he could have been a success in a top-four side such as Spurs and Paratici may well have avoided a deadline-day howler by missing out on James.