Football
Exclusive: Fulham and Everton Plot Move to Hijack Leeds’ Dan James Contract Talks
Everton and Fulham are looking to sign Leeds United winger Dan James, whose contract is expiring. James is considering his options and both clubs are in discussions with him. The Welsh international had a successful season with Leeds and is valued for his Premier League experience.
Watford FC v Leeds United FC - Sky Bet Championship by Cameron Howard | Getty Images
Former loan club Fulham and Everton are both looking to hijack Leeds United’s hopes of tying star winger Dan James to a new deal, SportsBoom sources can exclusively reveal.
James is out of contract next summer but the Whites are trying hard to secure a new long-term contract with the Wales international now they have won promotion back to the Premier League.
But SportsBoom understands both the Cottagers and the Toffees are in discussions with the 27-year-old about a potential move.
Former Manchester United ace James enjoyed a season to savour at Elland Road last season as Leeds were crowned Championship winners.
And after two seasons in the second tier the Yorkshire club are understandably looking forward to being back in the top-flight.
But the Whites face a battle to keep James despite being a mainstay of their promotion-winning side.
James is currently considering all of his options and is understood to be in no rush to decide his future.
Both Everton and Fulham have expressed an interest in trying to tempt the 57-cap Wales international away from Leeds.
STAR PERFORMER
Last season James played 36 games in the Championship and weighed in with 12 goals as the Whites pipped arch-rivals Burnley to the title on goal difference after an impressive campaign in which they lost just four games in 46 league matches.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke is a big admirer of James, a player who has plenty of previous Premier League experience he believes will be a welcome quality next season.
James had three seasons with Manchester United in the Premier League between 2019-22, but his appearance count dropped off significantly after making 33 appearances for the Red Devils in the 2019-20 season.
In all he played 74 games for United and scored nine goals before a £25million move to Elland Road on a five-year deal in August 2021.
He was loaned out to Fulham for much of the 2022-23 season and has taken time to establish a regular starting role over the past two seasons with the Whites.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.