Tottenham eye up shock transfer for former Man Utd flop

Suraj Radia

• 23 Aug 2022 16:25 BST
• 3 min read

Tottenham are reportedly interested in making a shock move for former Manchester United winger Dan James as a replacement for the outgoing Bryan Gil.

The 24-year-old signed for Leeds from Man Utd last summer for a club-record £25 million fee and grabbed four goals and four assists in his debut season.

Spurs are looking to sell winger Gil after just one year at the club and boss Antonio Conte is believed to have identified James as a replacement.

The North-London side have considered a loan offer with a £20m obligation to buy Leeds are thought to have issued a 'hands-off warning' to Spurs and would not entertain any offers for James.

Gil, meanwhile, has made just nine Premier League appearances for Spurs since signing for £21m from Sevilla last summer and is set to complete a permanent move to Valencia, having spent the second half of last season on loan there.

Conte insisted he would only sell Gil if he could bring in a replacement, something which he claims the club are 'clear' on.

"This squad is this and if someone goes away then another has to come. This has to be very clear for everybody," Conte said.

"Otherwise we stay with this squad and we continue our path with these players, this squad. But if someone has to go away, along another must come.

"This is very clear for me, for the club, but we are totally agreed on this aspect."

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Could Conte bring out the best in James?

James has pehaps not lived up to expectations during his time at Leeds, however the Welshman has shown flashes of his quality and was influential in his side's 3-0 win over Chelsea.

The former Swansea forward's work rate and versatility would see him be a useful squad option for Conte, with the Italian often utilising players with James' skillset as a wing-back.

While James may see a drop in first-team minutes if he joins Spurs, he may benefit more from playing for a Champions League team under a world-class manager with a reputation for developing fringe players.

However, with the World Cup edging ever closer and the winger expecting to be a key part of Wales' campaign, as well as Leeds' reluctance to sell, James may end up remaining at Leeds past deadline day.