---
title: "Pundit Tips Leeds as Main Contender to Battle Everton for Dan James"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/paul-robinson-dan-james-everton-competition-leeds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-11-27T07:00:22Z"
modified: "2020-11-27T07:00:22Z"
---

# Pundit Tips Leeds as Main Contender to Battle Everton for Dan James

Paul Robinson is the latest pundit to comment to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-exclusive-leeds-tipped-to-race-everton-to-sign-23-yr-old-after-big-reveal/) over the emerging debate as to whether Everton should sign Wales international [Dan James](https://readeverton.com/2020/11/24/darren-bent-questions-dan-james-everton-loan-rumours/) in the January transfer window.

The Merseysiders were recently linked with the Manchester United winger by [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-everton-plot-january-raid-for-man-united-speed-machine/) amid claims that he was being viewed as an ideal backup to Richarlison. However, pundit opinion has been divided over whether it would be a shrewd move.

Former England striker Darren Bent has claimed that James is ‘[headless](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-bent-reacts-as-everton-plot-january-signing-of-headless-big-name/)’ in a scathing assessment of James as he claimed he would not break into Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI, although he did admit that the winger possesses ‘great potential’.

The 23-year-old has struggled at his current club, having started just [three Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) this season, and has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. However, he scored his [first Champions League goal](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-exclusive-leeds-tipped-to-race-everton-to-sign-23-yr-old-after-big-reveal/) as a second half substitute in Manchester United’s 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday.

Robinson has now claimed that James would be a hotly-contested signing who would be in demand from a number of Premier League clubs – with the ex-England goalkeeper claiming that Leeds will revive their interest. He said of the 23-year-old:

> He is really struggling to get game time at Manchester United which I am surprised by because he hit the ground running when he came in.
>
> He is a young player that needs to be playing. You cannot just sit and train at Manchester United and think you will get your chance soon.
>
> It would be a surprise but there could potentially be an opportunity to buy Dan James in January or the summer.
>
> We have seen what he can do. Everton will be looking at him and I would not be surprised if Bielsa went back after him. We know that he almost signed for Leeds before United.
>
> There will be a lot of clubs after Dan James should he become available.

### Read Everton Verdict

Robinson may be overstating the ‘hype’ around James. Of course his [attributes of speed](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-daniel-james-fifa-18943309) can serve him well, but a lot of improvement needs to be made to fulfil his potential.

That being said, a loan move may serve as a good litmus test for whether he could succeed elsewhere.