Phil Hay has responded to a Leeds United fan on Twitter on Friday morning, telling him that Dan James “stays” at Elland Road this morning – with the Welshman set to return to Leeds after a season-long loan spell at Fulham.
James, 25, spent last season on loan at Fulham. It comes after joining Leeds for £25m in the summer of 2021. He left a year later, after playing 40 times in all competitions – having a hand in nine goals, scoring four, creating five.
But with Leeds signing Willy Gnonto last summer, and James wanting regular game time to prepare himself for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – he moved to Fulham on loan. It backfired, managing just 23 outings, and three goals.
Now, with three years left on his contract at Elland Road, James is set to return. He is yet to return to pre-season training, having played in internationals following the end of the season. Hay was asked about his future by a fan.
Phil Hay tells Leeds fan that Dan James stays at Leeds this summer
It is a big boost for Leeds. James is going to be a crucial weapon in the Championship, given he has impressed at times in the Premier League. In his 33 career outings in the second tier, he has had a hand in 13 goals, at Swansea.
With Gnonto, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Cree Summerville all being linked with a summer exit – having the Wales star in the squad will be like a new signing. It saves Leeds a bit of cash, not having to bring in a replacement.
Whether or not a Premier League side comes in for James before the end of the current transfer window, remains to be seen. But, it looks likely – especially after Hay’s update – that he will be in a Leeds shirt come deadline day.
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