Report suggests Callum O’Dowda was second on list behind Daniel James for Leeds United’s January 2019 plans

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By now, everyone knows the story of Leeds United’s pursuit of Daniel James. In January 2019, the Welsh winger was all set to join Leeds United on transfer deadline day. A medical had even been completed for the Swansea City youngster. 

At the last minute Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins pulled the deal, as reported by the BBC, apparently unhappy with the structuring of a deal which would have eventually cost Leeds United a reported (The Telegraph) £10 million.

The fact the deal was pulled so late meant Leeds could not bring in a replacement and they went in short for the final stretch of the season. Leeds failed to win promotion and James has since joined rivals Manchester United. 

But who would Leeds have brought in if the James deal had collapsed a couple of days earlier?

According to Bristol Live, it would have been Callum O’Dowda. They report that the Irish international was ‘second on the list’ at Leeds behind James in their January plans for 2019. 

Leeds were, of course, linked at the time.  As reported by the Bristol Post that January, O’Dowda was valued at £8-£10 million as Leeds considered him an option. 

Since then, O’Dowda has signed a new deal at Bristol City but has also suffered indifferent form at Ashton Gate. 

He no longer appears to be a Leeds United target, but when it comes to the Daniel James what if situation, O’Dowda is never mentioned. 

If James had never had his move pulled from under him, then perhaps the 18-cap Irish international might have been a Leeds player.