Deadline Day is often tense, deals going down to the wire as the minutes fritter away. Today, Leeds United have been on the end of one of those nervous last seconds deals.
When it all seemed signed, sealed, done and dusted, the deal between Leeds United and Swansea City hit a last-minute hitch. It wasn’t a hiccup, it was more of an immovable object of an obstacle.
James was at the club, the youngster had passed a medical, terms had seemingly been agreed. Then, as fans prepared for the fanfare of an announcement…nothing. There was rumour and supposition, but in terms of a player announcement there was nothing.
What had seemed certain, was unravelling. As the seconds ticked away, Leeds supporters salvation lay in one phrase – ‘deal sheet in’. That would have given the two clubs, Leeds United and Swansea City, an extra two hours to sort particulars.
That wasn’t to be, as confirmed by the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay.
Daniel James deal is OFF. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 31, 2019
As Leeds United fans began to rage, their anger and frustration building, Twitter seemed ready to dust off old servers to cope with the vitriol unleashed. What was seemingly perfect, was now sullied.
In earlier tweets, before his underlining of the deal as being off, Hay certainly seemed to point the finger of blame in one particular direction – and it wasn’t looking at West Yorkshire.
Certain people at Swansea have been opposed to this deal from the start and more obstructions have appeared at the last minute. Almost 11pm. Then we'll see. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 31, 2019
politics. Some people at Swansea want to sell, some don't. A lot more to come on this.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 31, 2019
That’s it. Swansea’s alleged meddling, from some at least, has scuppered a deal for the 21-year-old flyer. It’s normal service resumed for Leeds United fans, the Whites facing a Saturday visit from Norwich City.
For Daniel James, it’s a trip back down to the Principality with what he might have thought a dream move now laying in shreds at his feet.
