Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 16 April 2026 15:00, UK

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James Hill looked as if he could be on the way out at Bournemouth last summer, with Leeds United among the interested clubs.

The defender had just one year remaining on his contract at the Vitality Stadium and would have surely been available for a cut-price fee.

Hill had very little experience away from Bournemouth, making just 10 Premier League appearances last season.

But the Whites ultimately opted for James Justin instead – a decision that has aged more and more poorly with each passing game.

Leeds transfer chiefs may be made to rue their decision even more this summer if Hill is sold elsewhere.

Leeds passed up James Hill

Leeds’ interest in Hill was reported in August, with transfer chiefs attempting to bolster Daniel Farke’s team at the back.

The defender was on the outskirts at Bournemouth, and with just a year left on his deal, looked as if he could be set to leave.

No bid materialised, however, and the 24-year-old started the season with brief appearances before impressing in wins over Tottenham and Brighton.

That was enough to convince the Cherries to hand Hill a new four-year contract and end any chance of a quick departure.

Since then, the Englishman has continued to thrive, now representing one of the most in-form centre-backs in the country.

There is already some murmurs of foreign interest in the defender this summer, with Bournemouth unlikely to let him leave for a fee below £40million.

In all likelihood, however, Hill will stay and could even play a part in a European campaign if the Cherries can end the season well.

Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon have been strong options at the back for Leeds this season, but there will be some disgruntlement that a move for Hill was not sought more intensely.

What Hill said about extending Bournemouth stay

Few could have seen Hill’s rise to prominence coming – the defender had shown promising signs, but had just minutes of experience in the Premier League.

Once it became clear that they had stumbled upon a potential future England international, Bournemouth worked quickly to agree a new deal.

“I’m happy to continue and I can’t wait to get started for the next four years,” Hill said after confirmation of his new contract.

“It’s really exciting here. Every day we’re developing, learning and it’s such a young and hungry group that, going into every game, there’s a possibility to win.

“We go into every game thinking that we can win and that mindset in the changing room in terms of wanting to get better and wanting to push as a group is really exciting.”

Leeds will sting slightly, but perhaps the progression of the 24-year-old will convince them to take that chance on the next player.