Carlton Palmer has told Football Fancast that he thinks Leeds United should consider another move to bring Daniel James to Elland Road ahead of the January transfer window – as he continues to struggle for game time at Manchester United, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
James, 23, joined Manchester United in the summer of 2019 from Swansea City and has since clocked up 52 appearances in all competitions. He has had a hand in 12 goals since moving to Old Trafford – scoring five goals and laying on seven assists. He has a contract at United until the summer of 2024, worth £45,000 a week (Spotrac).
It is common knowledge that just six months before moving to Manchester United, Wales international James almost moved to Leeds. The Amazon Prime: Take Us Home documentary shows James at Elland Road having completed a Leeds medical – and picking the number 21 shirt. However, a move fell through and now James is at United.
Former Leeds midfielder Palmer has urged Leeds to take advantage of his lack of game time at United – by finally rectifying their failure to sign him in January 2019. Two years on, Palmer thinks Leeds should nab the winger – claiming he would be a good fit for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
“I’d go for James, I think he fits into the style and the model that Leeds have,” Palmer said. “I think he’d be a good fit and he needs to play football.”
Leeds do have options on the flanks. Raphinha has come in for Helder Costa of late, and scored a stunning winner to beat Everton 1-0 – while Costa came on as a substitute and missed a sitter in injury time. Ian Poveda has also been used as a substitute on numerous occasions, while Jack Harrison – who is in his third season on loan from Manchester City – is the club’s first-choice left-sided winger.
James can operate on either flank but the question must be asked – if he did join Leeds, would he be first choice? The chances are that Bielsa would keep faith with both Harrison and Raphinha especially after the start to the 2020-21 campaign both have made – and that may prevent United from allowing Leeds to take him on loan. Time will tell.
