Leeds United's pursuit of Swansea City's Dan James was based upon a recommendation from Football Analytics FC founder Jeremy Steele, according to a report from The Athletic. 

The Whites narrowly missed out on signing the Welsh winger last January after a frustrating series of events.

James had a medical at Leeds, had agreed terms, and had even discussed finding somewhere to live as the Yorkshire club pressed to get the deal over the line before the transfer window closed.

However, Swansea's American owners had a late change of heart and the deal was unable to be completed before the end of January.

James finished the season with a flourish for the Swans and subsequently secured a move to Manchester United the following summer, while Leeds fell just short of securing promotion.

A report from The Athletic has provided some fresh details on the saga and revealed that it was set in motion by a recommendation from Steele, the founder of analytics company Football Analytics FC.

Leeds are one of a number of clubs to use the company's services, with others including West Ham United, West Brom and multiple Champions League clubs.

It is understood that Steele called Whites director of football Victor Orta to tell him he had identified the "star player of the Championship".

He explained: “The best example for us was Daniel James. It was not successful for Leeds as it fell through at the last minute, but he has gone on to star for Manchester United.

"We recommended him after eight or nine games in the Championship and said he is a player Leeds had to sign immediately. Victor came back to us and was like, ‘F***** hell, are you sure?’ and we said ‘Yes, 100 percent’. They moved on it very quickly. Victor trusts data science.”

Can you name every Leeds United front-of-shirt sponsor from the last 15 seasons?

The Verdict

It's interesting to hear that the Whites' pursuit of James was set off by a recommendation from Football Anayltics FC.

The situation with the 22-year-old was a hugely frustrating one for Leeds and fans of the club – feelings that were likely re-earthed by it featuring in the Amazon Prime documentary.

However, there is certainly a positive spin that can be taken from these fresh details. Given James is now a Premier League regular at Old Trafford, the recommendation was clearly a good one and it is surely only a matter of time until Leeds get the chance to snap up the next one.