Victor Orta has revealed how he utilised data analytics to push for Leeds United's move for Daniel James earlier this year, before the deal collapsed at the last hour.
The former Swansea City star, who saw a transfer to Elland Road stalled while he was waiting at Elland Road on deadline day in January, ultimately joined Premier League rivals Manchester United after the Whites missed out on bringing him to West Yorkshire.
The Wales international's almost-move to Marcelo Bielsa's side dominated headlines for several days after it fell through but now Orta has revealed just why he wanted the Hull-born winger at Leeds, revealing the role that data played in convincing the club on his potential.
"I don't tell any secrets about the Daniel James situation," the club's director of football told Sky Sports .
"We detected first from the human eye, about the UK recruitment about Daniel James, that he would fit with our style - and Marcelo Bielsa totally agreed.
"It's true that, at that moment, he had only played 14 games in the Championship and we were trying to find more accuracy. I asked for a report from a company in football analytics and in this moment Daniel James had zero goals and one or two assists.
"They made a big report about expected goals and expected assists and they predicted he would finish the season with six or seven goals and eight assists, and it was a step that (meant) I felt more comfortable making that decision.
"First was the scout - the eye - thinking this player can fit for us. But this report gave me more accuracy to propose to the board that this player can be a fit for January.
"Then in the end what happened was (the deal) not finished and Daniel James didn't play for Leeds United. But I always have this report as an example of a good use of data."
James eventually joined Manchester United in the summer and has so far made 11 Premier League starts for Leeds' cross-Pennines rivals, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
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