Leeds United are seemingly on the verge of giving up on Daniel James.
Speculation linking the Whites with a move for the Welsh winger have gathered momentum over the last couple of weeks, amid suggestions he has fallen out of favour under boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A loan move is understood to have been categorically ruled out before the close of the window, while reports on Friday suggested the Whites were preparing a £25m bid.
Sources close to the player had similarly played those suggestions down to WalesOnline, adding that there was little sign of an incoming bid.
But the BBC has since claimed Leeds did make a last-ditch attempt to convince Manchester United into a sale on the weekend.
However, it appears those attempts have been unsuccessful, with United unwilling to let the 22-year old leave due to uncertainty in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
James was left out of the matchday squad for United's shocking 6-1 defeat at home to Spurs at the weekend, although reports in Manchester suggest his omission was due to illness rather than an imminent move away.
The player was reportedly sent home from Carrington on Thursday, and didn’t report to training on Friday but was back in on Saturday.
However, he wasn’t deemed well enough to be involved on Sunday afternoon.
James now looks increasingly likely to stay at Old Trafford, and Leeds themselves look to have moved on, with the club seemingly closing in on a deal for Rennes winger Raphinha.
Owner Andrea Radrizzani appeared to publicly admit defeat in the club's chase over the weekend, telling Stretty News: “Dan [James] is on top of our list but it seems he will be staying at Man Utd.
“There is nothing.”
