Daniel Farke's stance on Dan James leaving Leeds United revealed
Daniel Farke is keen to keep Dan James at Leeds for the whole season despite rumours of interest in his services, sources have told Football Insider.
James is reportedly attracting transfer interest from Championship clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old has been resigned to a backup role at Elland Road since Daniel Farke switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation midway through last term.
Rumours around his future at the club are set to continue ahead of the next window as he struggles to break into Farke's starting eleven.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Farke will continue to offer regular minutes to James from the bench to convince him to stay for the rest of the campaign.
He is an option at either wing-back or attacking midfield for the Whites, but last started a league game in their penultimate clash of last season against Brighton.
Dan James in line for more minutes at Leeds despite transfer interest
James scored in his sole Leeds start of the season so far against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.
Farke is keen for him to stay beyond January, with the onus on James to either win a place in the side or push to leave if he wants a new challenge in the next window.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Dan James has been a victim of how Leeds set up now. They don't really play with wingers, and that has meant that he’s struggled for minutes, but he has still been getting minutes off the bench.
"I think his role at Elland Road now is a bit of an impact player off the bench because he can stretch defences with his pace. He is still under a long-term contract at Leeds as well, until 2029.
"I don't think Leeds will necessarily be pushing him out the door, and if there are any injuries or anything like that, there will be more opportunities for Dan James, so I still think he has a role to play for Farke right now."
Leeds confident of keeping Lukas Nmecha past this season
Nmecha is in a similar situation to James as he struggles for regular starts at Leeds behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The German forward's long-term future at Elland Road has also been called into question, with his current contract set to expire in June 2027.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Leeds are optimistic about agreeing a new deal with Nmecha despite his bench role.
They believe that he will be content to stay at the club to fight for his place with Calvert-Lewin, especially if they qualify for Europe this season.