According to Sky Sports, Manchester United have agreed an initial fee of around £15million plus £3million in add-ons for highly-rated Swansea winger Daniel James.
The deal had been in the pipeline for a few weeks. However, there were complications over the sad passing of the youngster’s dad. According to the report, James has already agreed personal terms and just needs to have a medical before the move is complete.
James is a talented youngster
Daniel James established himself as a promising young winger in the Championship last season with Swansea. The 21-year-old scored five goals and produced ten assists in the second tier.
His dribbling ability and his ability to take on a man is one of the youngster’s best qualities. James’ ability caught the eye earlier in the season and Leeds saw a move for the winger fall through in the January transfer window.
However, it seems he will get a move to a United, just not Leeds United. The move is a massive one for the winger.
A low-risk signing for United
For the best part of the Premier League era, Manchester United have paid big money for players. Despite bringing through a number of players who went on to star in the first-team, the Red Devils were never scared to pay big money for players.
That was a success with some players in the shape of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. However, spending big does not always give a guarantee of success.
The big-money signings of highly-rated French duo Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are examples of expensive moves not always proving to be overwhelming successes.
The signing of Daniel James seems like a change in policy for the previously big-spending Red Devils. For the fee United are paying the winger is a gamble worth taking. In today’s crazy transfer market £15million is a drop in the ocean for a Premier League club, especially one as rich as United.
There is no doubt that James has potential. However, there is a massive step up from playing for a club like Swansea in the second tier to playing for Manchester United in the Premier League. The plan is unclear of what United are going to do with the youngster. Is he going to be part of the first-team squad or are they going to send him out on loan for next season?
If he gets a shot in the first-team and he a success, then he will be heralded as a shrewd signing. If he fails to make the grade, then United are likely to sell him on in the future and make some of his fee back.
Ryan Giggs United legend and now James’ international boss with Wales believes that the youngster can play at any level.
United have a challenge on for top-four next season
The signing of youngster Daniel James is unlikely to make United fans believe that they are destined for a return to the top-four. However, to be fair most signings would not change the opinion of the fans on that issue.
Most Red Devils fans are aware that their squad needs major upgrades to even finish in the top four, let alone mount a title challenge. United are odds of 8/11 for a top-four finish next season, fifth favourites to clinch a Champions League spot.
Daniel James may be the first signing of the summer for United. However, it looks highly unlikely that he will be the last, as boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer attempts to reshape his team and squad.
The signing of Daniel James looks like a no-brainer for United. They have little to lose and the youngster may just turn out to be a clever signing.
Will Daniel James feature in Manchester United’s first-team next season?
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