Step aside Dan James, Leeds United could soon surprise fans with a new biggest creative threat

The objective at Leeds United over the course of the next 12 months is one thing, and one thing only. Securing survival in the Premier League, come May 2026.

Anything and everything from this point until then will be done in the hope that it contributes to securing a place in the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, as Leeds look to re-establish themselves at the top.

But that is easier said than done. The chasm between the Championship and the Premier League is now widening, with all three promoted teams relegated a year later, two Premier League seasons on the trot.

Alan Shearer thinks Leeds can buck that trend, but in order to do so – the recruitment must be spot on this summer. A new no.10 will be top of the agenda and Jack Rudoni is the latest name to be linked.

Jack Rudoni outdid Dan James in the Championship last season

Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Leeds like Coventry’s Rudoni, who has excelled in his first season with the Sky Blues since swapping Huddersfield Town for the CBS Arena in the summer of 2024.

Rudoni played a number of positions under Mark Robins and then Frank Lampard last season as Coventry recovered from a poor start to finish in the play-offs, having a hand in a whopping 23 goals and assists.

Of those 23, 22 came in the Championship – one more than Dan James managed, and James was one of three candidates for the Championship Player of the Season award. Of course, James did it in less games.

Rudoni v James in Championship last season:

Name	Club	Games	Minutes	Goals	Assists	Minutes per G+A
Jack Rudoni	Coventry	45	3721	10	12	169.1
Dan James	Leeds	36	2620	12	9	124.8

Rudoni would replace Brenden Aaronson in Leeds’ side…

While Rudoni can play out wide or deeper as more of a no.8, his best role is behind the striker. That’s where the Coventry star was used most last season and if signed, would be competition for Aaronson.

To have one more goal involvement than James – even if he did play 1000 more minutes than James last season – is impressive. But compared to Aaronson last season, Rudoni was head and shoulders in front.

Not only did Rudoni produce double Aaronson’s involvements, but he did it in a similar amount of time. If the fee is affordable and not ridiculous, Leeds should do all they can to get Rudoni to Elland Road.

Dan James contract update at Leeds United, he could be willing to agree to one condition

Although Leeds United will be focused primarily on new signings now, they are also in need of taking care of the current playing squad.

Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier, Patrick Bamford, and Alex Cairns are four of the Leeds United squad with contracts running until 2026, thus entering the final 12 months of their deals at Elland Road this month.

The other is Dan James, Leeds’ Player of the Season. James is among those in desperate need of a new Leeds contract sooner rather than later, with the 27-year-old penning a five-year deal after signing from Man United back in 2021.

His performances have been such that Simon Grayson compared James to Lionel Messi at one stage last season, with the Welshman enjoying the best individual season of his career so far.

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Dan James is in contract extension talks with Leeds United

Ao Tanaka and James led the way for the Player of the Season award, with both Tanaka and Dan James included in David Prutton’s Team of the Season.

But his future is somewhat unclear currently, with many perhaps expecting him to be rewarded with fresh terms. Graham Smyth revealed Junior Firpo has been offered reduced terms at Leeds and that is an approach the club is looking to take.

Leeds United News sources close to Dan James have informed us that he is in contract talks with the club, but like Firpo, for a wage which is substantially less than the contract he first signed upon his arrival in 2021.

It appears as though this stance on pay cuts is a club-wide one, and not just for Firpo and James. Leeds have offered to extend his contract beyond 2026 but for a wage more reflective of the club’s current Premier League standing.

Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta handed out some lucrative extensions in Leeds’ previous Premier League stint, which the 49ers are keen to avoid unless absolutely necessary.

In that regime, James was shipped out on loan to Fulham. However, he has since returned and been a mainstay for Daniel Farke and the 49ers’ new-look Leeds team in the Championship.

Micah Richards thinks James is outstanding, but it remains to be seen how he adapts back to Premier League football.

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Dan James’ Leeds contribution deserves a new contract

Understandably, Leeds are looking to reset the wage structure somewhat. In the process, it could also free up room on the wage bill for other additions to come in.

That said, many will feel as though James’ recent contributions to the team are deserving of a pay increase. Without knowing the exact figures, that may be difficult for the Whites to offer.