Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United are set to walk away from talks to sign Swansea City winger Daniel James in order to pursue Bristol City star Callum O’Dowda, according to reports from Daily Mirror writer David Anderson.

The Whites are in the market for another playmaker following the departure of Samu Saiz to Getafe in December, with a left-sided winger on the January wishlist for Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.

Swans winger James emerged as a transfer target for the Yorkshire club earlier on this week, with reports on Tuesday night also suggesting that Bristol City’s O’Dowda is also a reported target for the Whites.

But reports from David Anderson now claim that Leeds are set to step up their interest in signing the latter, after failing to agree a deal with Swansea for their young winger.

O’Dowda has been a star for the Robins since signing from Oxford United in 2016 – the Republic of Ireland international has scored just three goals in forty league starts for Lee Johnson’s men, but possesses plenty of end product that would be of much use to Bielsa’s men down the left flank.

Leeds currently sit at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table, four points clear of Norwich City in 3rd place.

The Verdict

I’d say that this is the best move for Leeds.

O’Dowda is much more proven at this level than James is, and I feel that he suits Leeds’ style of play much more than the Swansea winger does.

If they manage to get him, it would be a real coup to lure him away from play-off contenders Bristol City.