It was reported last week that Dan James could return to Elland Road this month with Leeds United.
Leeds allowed James to depart the club for Craven Cottage on transfer deadline day in the summer, but recent Fulham transfer discussions have placed his future up in the air in West London.
Fulham have hit the Premier League quota for domestic loan players meaning Dan James or Shane Duffy were in line to have their loans cancelled. Ryan Taylor of Reach PLC believed last week that Leeds could have the winger return to them this month.
He believed that a cancellation of one of the players’ loans was imminent but that there was also a chance one could be made permanent instead, he said: “Fulham have currently filled Premier League loan quota and therefore can only complete Cédric Soares loan deal if they send Shane Duffy or Dan James back to Brighton or Leeds, respectively. Appears one is imminent. Alternative solution would be to sign one permanently.”
David Ornstein of The Athletic is reporting that the on and off deal for Cedric has been resolved, he said: “Fulham set to finalise signing of Cedric Soares from Arsenal on straight loan until end of season.”
However, the West London club have decided not to cancel the loan of either player, and instead are opting to sign one instead, in the shape of Brighton’s Shane Duffy, he added: “It requires one of Fulham’s existing Premier League loans to be turned permanent. That is likely to be Shane Duffy from Brighton.”
Quiz: Are these 15 statements about Leeds United’s Daniel James true or false?
James would doubtfully have wanted to return to Leeds anyway, given his unceremonious departure in the summer, and agreeing a deal with Leeds this late would potentially have proved difficult for Fulham.
Selling him would obviously have been optimal for Leeds, to recoup some of the money paid for him and pay for other transfers the Whites have concluded this month, too.
There is still a good chance James will depart permanently in the summer, regardless of if Fulham opt to sign him or not. Leeds have multiple attacking options now and James’ place in the pecking order has dropped significantly.
Does James have a future at Leeds?
Yes
No
Get him back, he can be a useful impact player for Leeds