According to the latest reports from Wales Online, Premier League interest is expected for Swansea City winger Daniel James this summer. The Wales winger has been a subject of interest from Leeds United and the 21-year-old came perilously close to joining Elland Road in the summer.
However, the move fell through under spectacular circumstances, and now Swansea are looking to tie him down on a new contract. As of now, James’ contract at the Liberty Stadium runs until the summer of 2020. Leeds United are expected to go after him in the summer, but with Premier League clubs expected to come in for him, the Whites might find it hard to lure him.
However, things can change if United themselves become a Premier League club by next season by winning promotion, so all is still not lost for the West Yorkshire outfit. But, the way the winger has gone from strength to strength in the last few months, it suggests that he would only move if there is a big money offer from the prospective clubs.
United were close to signing him for £10m in January, but that price will shoot up now as James has shot himself into the limelight after some top performances. Recently, the winger scored a winning goal in the UEFA Euro qualifiers against Slovakia and there was no doubt that he was the best player on the pitch for his country even ahead of someone like Gareth Bale.
His performance against Manchester City in the FA Cup wouldn’t have gone unnoticed as well, and Leeds fans and board must be feeling hard done by as they came very close to signing this extraordinary talent. James’ direct style of play, pace and impressive work rate would have made him a big hit at Elland Road, and maybe United might have been fighting for the top spot with James at the club.
People might be considering Swansea as the villain here and Leeds board has blatantly mentioned that it was because of internal boardroom politics at Swansea that the move fell through. However, the Welsh club would be delighted that the move didn’t go through as they are likely to give the young winger a new contract.
Even if the 21-year-old goes on to leave in the summer, James is definitely going to fetch more than the £10m which United were willing to pay, and Swansea are turning out to be the big winners here. As for United, any hope of them signing the Welsh winger depends on them moving up a division to the English top flight.
