Leeds United are in advanced talks over a move for Daniel James from Manchester United on a permanent deal more than two years after they almost signed him on loan.
Despite starting the victory against Wolves on Sunday, the Wales forward has been used sparingly at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and the impending arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus means the 23-year-old will be even further down the pecking order after United also signed Jadon Sancho for £73 million (€85 million) from Borussia Dortmund.
Leeds have now approached United with a view to completing a transfer for James, with negotiations understood to be taking place over a fee and personal terms.
Having paid around £15 million (€17.5 million) to sign him from Swansea in 2019 after a proposed loan move to join Leeds had collapsed in the January transfer window, United are likely to demand a fee of around £20 million (€23.3 million) for James, who has another three years left on his contract. Several other Premier League clubs are also believed to have also shown an interest in recent weeks.
Diogo Dalot looks set to stay at Old Trafford, however, after Solskjær decided against sanctioning his loan move to Borussia Dortmund. The Portugal defender is wanted as backup to Aaron Wan-Bissaka after United loaned Brandon Williams to Norwich.
United have also confirmed that a thigh injury sustained in training that is likely to keep him out of action for six weeks prevented Amad Diallo from completing his loan move to Feyenoord. “Amad will remain at United and rehabilitate back to full fitness,” said a statement.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo completed a medical in Lisbon over the weekend ahead of his return to Manchester United and he has agreed personal terms on a two-year contract with the Premier League club, Sky Sports reported.
United said last week they had agreed a deal to re-sign Ronaldo from Juventus after he told the Serie A club he had no intention of staying, but the transfer was still subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical.
The clubs have yet to confirm the Portugal forward’s transfer. The Premier League’s summer transfer window closes on Tuesday at 11pm.
Sky reported the fee agreed for the 36-year-old Portuguese was around €15 million plus a further €8 million in add-ons. – Guardian
