Transfer Deadline Day: Leeds seal Daniel James deal, Irish midfielder moves to Scottish Premiership
Daniel James.
Leeds United have announced the signing of winger Daniel James from Manchester United on a five-year deal.
James, 23, arrives at Elland Road two-and-a-half years after Leeds’ bid to sign him from his former club Swansea collapsed at the 11th hour.
It's understood Leeds have paid £25million for the Wales international.
James told Sky Sports: “I’m glad everything’s over the line and I’m excited to move forward.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for me, bit of a crazy time, but I’m here now and grateful that the club still believed in me from that time two-and-a-half years ago. I’m happy to be here and can’t wait to play in front of these fans.
“It’s all happened in the last day or two, very quick. I got my head around it and this is where I wanted to be moving forward.”
Leeds never lost their interest in James after their attempts to sign him in January 2019 broke down in the closing stages.
He moved to Old Trafford for £15m the following summer, signing a five-year deal, and went on to score nine goals in 74 appearances for the club in all competitions.
James was in Manchester United’s starting XI for this season’s Premier League games against Leeds and Wolves but his chances of establishing himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line-up diminished following the completion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford earlier on transfer deadline day.
James is Leeds’ third major summer signing after Jack Harrison’s extended loan deal from Manchester City was made permanent and the arrival of left-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder Connor Ronan is joining St Mirren on a season-long loan from Wolves.
The 23-year-old midfielder moved to Molineux from Rochdale seven years ago and has enjoyed loan spells at Portsmouth, Walsall, Dunajska Streda, Blackpool and Grasshopper.
He told St Mirren TV: “The manager wanted me to come in and play as I like to play as a creative midfielder. It was a really positive chat and from that point on it was just a case of getting everything sorted.”
Elsewhere, Arsenal have agreed an initial €20m (£17.2m) deal to buy the defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna. The Japan international, who can play at right-back or centre-back, could cost a further €3m in add-ons.
The 22-year-old Tomiyasu has been with Bologna since joining from the Belgian club Sint-Truiden in 2019 and has 23 caps. Personal terms have been agreed and the move is subject to a medical.
Tomiyasu is in line to become the third defender to join Arsenal this summer, after Ben White and Nuno Tavares. Mikel Arteta’s team have conceded nine goals in their opening three Premier League matches, all of which have ended in defeat.
Real Betis are trying to sign the right-back Héctor Bellerín from Arsenal, who will give Reiss Nelson a new contract to 2023 before the forward completes his loan to Feyenoord.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could still leave Arsenal today. The PA news agency understands that the Gunners are waiting for a compelling offer and have no intention of keeping him against his will if such a bid is received.
Striker Eddie Nketiah looks set to stay. It is understood a deal was agreed with Crystal Palace but personal terms proved the stumbling block.
Meanwhile, West Ham have strengthened their squad ahead of a busy season which will take in Europa League action, with the signing of Croatia forward Nikola Vlasic on a five-year deal.
The 23-year-old - known to Premier League fans for a short stint at Everton - has 26 caps and six goals for his country.
He joins for an undisclosed fee from CSKA Moscow, having been named Russian Premier League player of the year in 2020.
Tottenham have agreed a fee with Barcelona for right-back Emerson Royal.
The 22-year-old is undergoing a medical and Spurs hope to tie up deal which the PA news agency understands is worth €30million before the deadline.
The London club are looking to ship out right-back Serge Aurier.
Brighton have signed Getafe left-back Marc Cucurella in a deal thought to reach £15million.
The 23-year-old has become Brighton's third summer signing, following Enock Mwepu and Kjell Scherpen through the doors at the Amex Stadium.
Cucurella, part of the Spain side that won silver at this summer's Olympics, came through Barcelona's academy before impressing with Getafe last term.
"We have been keen to bring Marc to the club, and we are really pleased to finally welcome him here and are excited to begin working with him," said Brighton boss Graham Potter.
"He has had a fantastic education in the youth teams at Barcelona, and he has gone on to make a real impression in La Liga and the within the national set-up.
"He is a versatile player and will add competition to the current squad."
Tottenham's record signing Tanguy Ndombele will not be leaving the club.
The Frenchman had asked to leave earlier this summer, but the PA news agency understands Spurs will keep him unless a sizeable bid comes in before the deadline.
Ndombele is yet to feature for Nuno Espirito Santo's side this season having told Spurs he wanted to move.
Burnley have signed Wales full-back Connor Roberts on a four-year deal.
The 25-year-old joins from Sky Bet Championship club Swansea and becomes the Clarets' fifth senior signing of the summer transfer window.
Burnley chairman Alan Pace said: "It's great to add another player with strong international experience to our squad and provide an opportunity for Connor to play Premier League football again having provided outstanding service to Swansea and impressed on the international stage with Wales."
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