Confirmed:Leeds hit gold with a £2.5 million player who will be more valuable than James…

Leeds made an exceptional deal when they acquired a player for £2.5 million, whose value today surpasses that of Daniel James.

Formerly a revered figure at Leeds United, this player’s current market worth exceeds that of Daniel James.

At present, Leeds United appears poised to secure automatic promotion in the Championship. Following a 2-0 victory over Millwall, Daniel Farke’s stylish team has ascended to the top of the second-tier standings, overtaking Leicester City despite a nine-point deficit in mid-February.

Daniel James has been instrumental in Leeds’ dominance, scoring his 12th goal of the season against Millwall, contributing to yet another impressive victory for the team.

Daniel James, who once faced uncertainty about his future at Elland Road due to inconsistent performances, has undergone a remarkable transformation this season.

Initially perceived as a disappointment by Leeds fans who believed the club overpaid £25 million for him, James has become a pivotal player under Farke’s management in the Championship.

In addition to his 12 goals, James has provided seven assists in various competitions, setting up teammates like Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville to excel against opposing defenses.

Although James’ transfer value has decreased to €12.6 million (£10.7 million), indicating Leeds may have initially overpaid for him, his current impact on the team outweighs any concerns about his initial cost.

If Leeds achieves promotion, James aims to establish himself as a Premier League hero, potentially joining the ranks of iconic players like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the club’s history.

Had Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined Leeds for £2.5 million in 1997, his value in today’s transfer market would exceed that of James.

Considering inflation, Hasselbaink’s transfer fee in modern terms would be £14.4 million, according to TotallyMoney’s Transfer Index. Despite this, Hasselbaink’s prolific performances at Leeds and subsequent success at Chelsea would still make him a valuable acquisition.

During his time at Leeds, Hasselbaink scored 34 goals in the Premier League, placing him among the club’s top ten all-time Premier League goal scorers.

Hasselbaink’s prolific goal-scoring record at Leeds is well-remembered, despite his relatively short tenure at the club.

Leeds eventually sold Hasselbaink to Atletico Madrid for approximately £15 million, a sum that would equate to £51.7 million in today’s market.

Daniel James aspires to emulate the success of players like Hasselbaink, aiming to secure his place among the esteemed list of top-flight goal scorers for Leeds United.