Leeds United director of football Victor Orta has opened up on the Yorkshire club's failed attempt to sign Manchester United winger Dan James in January.

The 22-year-old was a Swansea City player at the time and had turned heads after an impressing in the first half of the 2018/19 season.

It is understood that Leeds saw James as the final piece to their promotion jigsaw and were close to sealing a £7 million deal for the Welshman.

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However, that move fell through at the last minute with the winger joining Manchester United in the summer for £15 million instead and the Whites missing out on promotion.

James has made an excellent start to life at the Premier League club–scoring three times and providing three assists.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Orta opened the lid on how Leeds became interested in the Welsh international.

He said: "We detected first from the human eye, about the UK recruitment about Daniel James, that he would fit with our style–and Marcelo Bielsa totally agreed.

"It's true that, at that moment, he had only played 14 games in the Championship and we were trying to find more accuracy. I asked for a report from a company in football analytics and in this moment Daniel James had zero goals and one or two assists.

"They made a big report about expected goals and expected assists and they predicted he would finish the season with six or seven goals and eight assists, and it was a step that (meant) I felt more comfortable making that decision.

"First was the scout–the eye–thinking this player can fit for us. But this report gave me more accuracy to propose to the board that this player can be a fit for January.

"Then in the end what happened was (the deal) not finished and Daniel James did not play for Leeds United. But I always have this report as an example of a good use of data."

Leeds look well set to launch another promotion push this season as they sit third after 16 games–only outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference.

The Verdict

Orta's comments reveal an interesting insight into the transfer procedure at the Yorkshire club and the way potential targets are scouted.

Looking at James' success since the failed deal, the Whites will no doubt be disappointed, however, they must use it as a lesson moving forward.

Leeds were unable to get over the line last season after having a reasonably quiet January transfer window and though Orta has indicated this time may be similar, it is important they at least add some reinforcements to Bielsa's squad.