Manchester United are close to securing the signing of Daniel James from Swansea City, according to reports in the English media.
The Red Devils are said to have offered £15m for the 21-year-old. When asked about the winger at yesterday’s pre-match press conference, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not deny the story but instead emphasised the importance of developing young players:
“Ronaldo was never ready-made, Wayne Rooney was never ready-made. Loads of the players that come here and really developed into the top superstars that they have become.”
“That’s always going to be the model – that we will develop players because I’ve got the best staff, the best environment.”
Supporters on Twitter think the move for James could prove to be a good piece of business:
First smart signing in years
— Swanny???(RT pinned?) (@ftbIswanny) 10 May 2019
This guy has so much pace
— Mark Allan Morgan (@mark_morga1) 10 May 2019
The lad looks pretty decent… the type of players we should be going for
— James Clayton (@J_Clayton1978) 10 May 2019
Tbh i really hope this happens. Signing big name players hasn’t quite worked out for us. Ole has said he wants to invest in youth. He’s an exciting talent who’s impressed immensely in the Championship. He’s young hungry willing to learn to fight. For £15 million that’s a bargain
— Chris Silvester (@ChrisSilveste14) 10 May 2019
*opens youtube*
— Darren (@darrunnn) 10 May 2019
this is so good. Young talent and a speedy winger.
— Solskjaer FC? (@FCSolskjaer) 10 May 2019
This guy is decent and has pace. Pace to be the quicker than any of our current players
— Vaishach (@Vaishach) 10 May 2019
A new chapter I love it, even if he doesn’t turn into a great worth a risk at 15m
— alfie mcCarthy (@alfie_mc12) 10 May 2019
The flash ⚡⚡⚡
— Irfan Gumelar (@fannbin) 10 May 2019
Sound like a signing Fergie would do. Unproven talent with the need to coach and make better. What Klopp has done successfully too. No doubt won’t be first choice but I rather these signings than any name to boost marketing activities!
— The land of Karda (@Firrooooo) 10 May 2019
Signing young players is always a risk, but James has shown rapid improvement over the past season. The Welsh international has scored five goals and contributed 10 assists in 38 games for Swansea this campaign.
The forward generally plays on the left wing, but he has also been utilised on the right-hand side by Swans boss Graham Potter.
A switch to Leeds collapsed during the January transfer window, but with James’s contract expiring in 2020, Swansea are prepared to do a deal to sell him this summer.