By David Woods

21st Jan, 2020 | 1:22pm

MOT View: Leeds in big danger of repeating Dan James debacle after latest Adams update

They couldn’t, could they?

Leeds United put all their eggs in one basket last January when they tried to sign then-Swansea winger Dan James. 

The deal was seemingly done, with James at Elland Road before the paperwork was left unsigned past the deadline.

It transpired afterwards that the Swansea owners had ratified a deal but chairman Huw Jenkins refused to sign off on it. He resigned shortly after.

Fans were annoyed but when the details of the deal came out, there was a certain amount of sympathy for Leeds and an acknowledgment that the man they’d identified was the right player for the club. His move to Man United last summer proved that.

However, if they make the same mistake again this transfer window, Leeds fans will not be as forgiving.

There are some worrying similarities. Leeds reportedly started negotiations with Southampton back in October.

There are now less than two weeks left in the window and Leeds are seemingly nowhere nearer landing the man.

The James deal broke down because there was dissent at Swansea over the deal.

That seems to be the case at Southampton too. Leeds Live journalist Bern Cross has said that there are some on the Southampton board who are minded to sell Adams.

And the latest update on the Adams move has come from Athletic journalist Phil Hay (Transfer Daily Podcast, Jan 20) who has said that Leeds are getting encouragement from someone at Southampton over the deal.

However, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been very clear that he wants to keep the striker on the south coast.

Leeds can’t afford to take this one to the end of the window. Adams might be the man Bielsa wants but at some point Victor Orta must pull the plug, and at a point when there’s still enough time to bring someone else in.

In other Leeds United news, Companies House docs show Radrizzani prepping for possible £30m loan