Manchester United seem close to completing their first signing of the summer window after comments from Swansea City’s owner Trevor Birch last week.
Daniel James had a great season with the Welsh side in the Championship in 2018/19. The winger registered 10 assists and scored five goals in all competitions, including a stellar performance against United’s noisy neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
It was first reported over a week ago that United were in for James’ and apparently personal terms had already been agreed between the two parties.
A fee in the region of £15million was also mentioned, however, since then it appears the rumours have cooled slightly and as of yet, we are still unaware whether the two clubs have since agreed to the transfer.
Devastatingly, news of Daniel James’ father passing may have understandably stalled negotiations as the player takes time out to grieve. James pulled out of Wales’ training camp last week in Portugal, however, he told manager Ryan Giggs he is ok to join up with the squad for the matches against Croatia and Hungary in the European Championship qualifiers.
Giggs did say he isn’t sure whether James will be present during both trips though, with the date of his father’s funeral yet to be announced.
Then, when asked about any more exits this summer, Birch said, “I can’t see there being many. If the Dan James thing happens then there might possibly be one or two, I don’t know. But I can’t see a firesale of players.”
It sounds as if Birch is resigned to losing him. And after frequent conversations with his national team boss Ryan Giggs, I am sure James’ would have heard lots of good things about United, not that it really needs selling.
Due to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men playing their trade in the Europa League rather than Europe’s elite competition, the Champions League may provide James’ with more opportunities getting some first-team action in his first season.