Sources: Dan James plots Leeds exit after he becomes Daniel Farke 'victim'
Leeds United winger Dan James could push to leave during the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The Whites are understood to be happy to keep the Wales international, provided that he continues to accept his role as an impact player from the bench.
The 28-year-old is seen as being a "victim" of Daniel Farke's move to a back-three formation, as the team no longer play with out-and-out wingers.
Sources say that James is likely to push for a move away from Elland Road if he decides that he needs a starting berth at this stage of his career.
Farke and Co. value his speed and dynamism in the latter stages of games, but are not prepared to hand him a starting role moving forward.
The ball is effectively in James' court as to how he views his future, with Leeds' cards already on the table in terms of how he will be used.
Dan James not capable of fitting Leeds' new formation
Farke's switch to a 3-5-2 formation transformed Leeds' season last term, and it has been no surprise to see the German continue with that shape this time around.
However, it has been a drastic change from the system that secured the club's promotion back to the Premier League, and it has left some players behind as a result.
James now finds himself firmly behind the likes of Noah Okafor, Harry Wilson, Anton Stach and Brenden Aaronson when it comes to playing the roles to support striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
He notched 21 goal involvement when Leeds were promoted from the Championship back in 2024-25, but his role since then has steadily declined.
Injuries limited James to just six league starts last season, and he has now played just 52 minutes of league football across the opening five games in 2026-27.
Leeds are not forcing him out the door by any means, but there is a genuine possibility that James could leave in January.
Leeds 'concerned' about Jean-Matteo Bahoya
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Wednesdday that Leeds are "concerned" about Jean-Matteo Bahoya's slow start in West Yorkshire.
The wideman joined the Whites on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt on deadline day, and they also have the option to buy him as part of the agreement.
However, Brown believes that Bahoya hasn't done enough on the training ground to prove to Farke that he is worthy of minutes so far this season.
The 21-year-old has only played one minute of competitive action for Leeds so far, having come on as a stoppage-time susbtitute against Crystal Palace.