Phil Hay: Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa ‘Forever interested’ in Daniel James
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is “forever interested” in signing Manchester United winger Daniel James, according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay.
Last week, the Scottish Mail on Sunday reported in their print edition [June 11, page 129] that James, 23, is considering his options at Old Trafford amid interest from Leeds.
The Wales international came close to joining the Whites on deadline day in January 2019 and Hay reports that Bielsa retains an interest in him.
Speaking on The Phil Hay Show podcast, the ex-Yorkshire Evening Post journalist said: “That’s a question for Bielsa because Bielsa is forever interested in Dan James.
“You’ll probably remember last summer before they did the deal for Raphinha, they were looking into the possibility of taking Dan James on loan from Manchester United.
“I don’t think it was ever really an option because it didn’t seem as though Solskjaer wanted him to go but Raphinha was very last-minute.”
Hay added: “I get the feeling that Bielsa will be consistently interested in Dan James because he was very, very big on him at the time they almost got him from Swansea.”
Is it finally the time for James?
Could we actually see James playing for Leeds United next season?
It’s not something that has been ruled out and understandably, Bielsa is desperate to see what the Welsh international can do at Elland Road.
He was within a whisker of joining us from Swansea in 2019 before he joined Man United and during his time at Old Trafford, it’s fair to say he’s been under-appreciated by their fans.
James is a rapid winger who knows how to orchestrate an attack and can be absolutely devastating on the counter.
Imagine being able to bring him off the bench in the 70th minute. How good would that be?
Bielsa likes to have plenty of options out wide and Hay has already suggested on The Athletic website that Helder Costa could leave Elland Road to make room for a new winger.
James would be a ridiculously big improvement upon Costa.
It would be great to see a deal done for the £35,000-a-week [Sun] attacker.
In other Leeds United news, Orta held a meeting in a restaurant with a player he wants to sign for Bielsa’s senior squad.