Manchester United on verge of signing Championship starlet

Manchester United are closing in on a surprise deal for Swansea starlet Daniel James, according to the London Evening Standard.

News broke earlier this month that United have lodged a shock move for the Wales international in a bid to fend off competition from their Premier League rivals.

James is exactly the type of player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants United to focus on signing from now on rather than big name arrivals.

The 21-year-old was close to joining Leeds in January before Swansea pulled the plug on a deal at the last hour.

Swansea had hoped to secure James’ long-term future but are their hands have been forced by the size of United’s bid, believed to be between £10m to £15m.

United’s pursuit of James would appear to suggest they are losing faith in convincing top transfer target Jadon Sancho to join them this summer.

Sancho is believed to be open to joining United and the Red Devils are his preferred destination should he leave Borussia Dortmund, but he has reservations about the direction the club are heading.

United are also unable to offer Champions League football next season and it would now take a remarkable change of events for Solskjaer’s side to get a deal over the line for the teen.

James, meanwhile, finished the season with four goals and seven assists in the Championship and demonstrated his counter-attacking capabilities in Swansea’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City earlier this year.