By Paul Jones
Dan James is set to complete a deadline day move to Leeds from Manchester United after the two clubs agreed a £25m fee.
The Wales striker will have a medical today before flying out to Finland with the rest of the Wales squad for the international friendly.
Wales then have two World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Estonia, in which James is likely to feature before he joins his new squad at Elland Road.
The 23-year-old has started two of United’s first three Premier League matches of the season, including Sunday’s 1-0 win at Wolves.
However, the impending return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford – following the earlier acquisition of Jadon Sancho – would impact James’ minutes, prompting Leeds, who the forward almost joined before signing for United in 2019, to bring him in.
James subsequently joined United that summer and has scored nine goals in 74 appearances.
United paid £15m to sign James from Swansea City in 2019 after a proposed loan move to join Leeds had collapsed in the January transfer window.
Several other Premier League clubs were also believed to have also shown an interest in the player, who had three years remaining on his Old Trafford deal.
James had been linked previously with Brighton, having played under manager Graham Potter at Swansea, and has also had previous interest from Everton, Leicester and Crystal Palace.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has previously stated an intent to keep James at the club.
But he admitted last weekend after the win over Wolves, “There has been a couple of enquiries for some of our players.
“With the signing of Cristiano we might give less playing time to a few. Dan is a Man United player at the moment.”
