Daniel James' imminent arrival demonstrates Manchester United's change in transfer strategy 

Daniel James is closing in on a £15m move to Manchester United
Daniel James is closing in on a £15m move to Manchester United Credit: Getty Images

It was the 53rd minute of an unspectacular FA Cup tie between Swansea and Brentford, when Daniel James fired up the after-burners.

Taking the ball yards from Swansea’s own penalty area, the winger raced all the way to produce a brilliant solo goal and, from that point on, he was always heading for the Premier League.

James will become the first summer signing for Manchester United in a £15million deal in the next few days and his arrival marks a clear shift in transfer policy for a club in dire need of fresh direction.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is targeting young players capable of improvement and growth ahead of next season, and James perfectly fits the profile.

A glowing recommendation from a United legend, in Wales manager Ryan Giggs, is also pretty useful and Solskjaer firmly believes James’s arrival can trigger the start of a bolder approach for United.

James is blessed with pace aplenty
Wales international James is blessed with pace aplenty Credit: Getty Images

For a club which have established a reputation for quick fixes in recent times, James is a player at the right age who can only get better.

It represents a remarkable career ascent for the 21 year old, who only two years ago had a loan spell at Shrewsbury cancelled after failing to force his way into the starting XI.

His progress at Swansea this season has been truly eye-catching, flourishing under the management of Graham Potter, who is now at Brighton but has played a key role in his development.

James almost joined Leeds United in the January transfer window, but the deal collapsed after a disagreement between the two clubs.

Leeds were offering a £1.5m loan fee to take him for the remainder of the season, with a view to a permanent deal this summer, but Swansea made a late u-turn and the move fell through.

While that transfer KO will have hurt at the time, it has not turned out too badly after all and James’s speed will make him one to watch at Old Trafford next season.

He has always had natural pace, but now knows how to utilise it to more devastating effect at the right time. Last season he recorded a speed of 36 kilometres per hour.

In an interview with Telegraph Sport’s Jason Burt earlier this year, James said: “I’m sure there are players a lot quicker than me. When people compare me to Kylian Mbappe, I am not quicker than him.

“There are players like Adama Traore in the Premier League (at Wolverhampton Wanderers) who could have been a sprinter. He’s 10.5 (over 100m), I think?”

James’s move should rush through in the next 48 hours and he will then return to Giggs’s squad for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying game against Croatia on Saturday. Wales then face Hungary on Tuesday.

More players of James’s age and profile will follow, too. Solskjaer will also give chances to many of United’s young players in a clear move to re-energise the club.

Solskjaer has a big job on his hands but James is already a step in the  right direction.

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