Shortly before the end of the transfer window, the Welsh international had been informed by Leeds his services were no longer required.
Desperate to free up funds for new signings and stocked with an abundance of wingers, the Whites initially touted James around for £20m, only to capitulate and permit a loan when offers failed to materialise.
Nevertheless, the general consensus was that James the club's second-biggest signing of all time - was finished at Elland Road.
All of which makes the 26-year-old's current renaissance in West Yorkshire all the more startling.
Persuaded to stay by new manager Daniel Farke at a pre-season meeting, James has gradually established himself as a key member of the Championship's most prolific attacking quartet.
His opener in last weekend's 2-0 victory at Blackburn was the winger's third goal in as many games and his seventh in the last 13 matches. Throw in four assists, and James is proving every bit as potent as Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe, and Georginio Rutter.
"The four of them are electric," said former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson recently. "They are unplayable at times. They create chances like you won't believe."
Denne historien er fra December 17, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 17, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pride at the park is perfect for Paul
EVERYONE deserved a pat on the back was Paul Warne’s verdict as his Derby County side hung on for all three points.
ACE HARRIS NETS TOP AWARD WITH GOAL RUSH
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SEASIDE LATE SHOW GIVES BRUCE BUZZ
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CLEMENCE GETS BLUEBIRDS TO
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KARL FUMES DESPITE LATE SUB HEROICS
KARL Robinson was delighted to see Salford City come back from behind to beat Cheltenham Town thanks to Hakeeb Adelakun’s second-half brace.
PATIENCE REQUIRED OVER NEW BOY ALZATE
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DOM AIMS TO HAVE A BALL AT THE O'S...
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DEL-BOY IS CUSHTY FOR CLEVERLEY
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MACKEMS' PERFECT RECORD IS ROO-INED
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight after his first Championship win as Plymouth Argyle boss came by beating previously unbeaten leaders Sunderland at the death.
Spanish starlet is seizing his big chance
SUNDERLAND'S failure to sign an established striker this summer left fans apoplectic, but Eliezer Mayenda is doing his best to quell the dissent.