Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a surprise move for Dan James this week…
What’s the word?
According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, the north London outfit have submitted a loan-to-buy offer for the Leeds United winger but the Yorkshiremen are thought to be holding out for a straight cash bid.
It comes just a year after the Whites paid a club-record £30m for him from Manchester United.
The reporter also recently declared it as “shock interest” from the Lilywhites to supporters on Twitter.
Not what Spurs need
If sporting director Fabio Paratici goes ahead with his plans to sign the Wales international, then he could well undo his impressive summer of business at Hotspur Way, in which he has secured seven new signings, including a £60m swoop for Richarlison, as well as the arrivals of Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma.
All of the signings will add or have already added something crucial to Antonio Conte’s squad – for instance, Clement Lenglet is yet to feature but he’s the only left-footer in the backline and he will certainly be needed when the Champions League kicks in next week.
James, however, is far from what the Italian head coach needs. He already has substantial depth in the wide attacking areas and even if he wanted to upgrade in the role, the Welshman has struggled to deliver in the big time.
Indeed, he is currently on a run of 17 straight league games without a goal, whilst overall for Leeds, he has only provided four goals and five assists, as per Transfermarkt.
Apart from his speed, it’s hard to see what the diminutive 5 foot 7 flop could offer Tottenham. He has recently been described as a “headless chicken” by LeedsLive journalist Conor McGilligan.
Meanwhile, Elland Road legend Ian Harte has previously likened him to Adama Traore due to his lack of end product. He said (in quotes sourced by LeedsLive):
“Let’s be honest, if he didn’t have the pace, he wouldn’t play in the Premier League. He doesn’t have the knowledge or the know-how.
“It’s just head down and run. He’s got unbelievable pace, but like Adama Traore, he needs to learn to slow his legs down to get the cross in.
“The majority of games I’ve seen, they end up going over and across the crossbar.”
This doesn’t sound like a player that Conte needs or would particularly want, so bringing him to the club before next Thursday’s deadline is surely a recipe for disaster.
As such, Paratici is at risk of undoing all his hard work amid interest in the underperforming Wales flop.
AND in other news, Spurs gifted big Ruslan Malinovskyi transfer boost…
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