If Potter threatened to walk, then WTF is going on inside the Club between Owners, managing execs, and team operations. Surely Potter's position on what players are considered critical, essential, good to have to get the fuck out of here etc are known by all stakeholders. How could something like this happen without discussions.
Potter is definitely Jenkins' signing. And Jenkins made some promises when he hired Potter. 1) We'll go back to Swanselona style of play, 2) We'll build for the future and we'll promote young, talented players from the Academy, and 3) Potter will have the last say on transfers, though he has to accept that the high earners have to go.
As far as know, Radrizzani (the Leeds owner) made a direct call to Levien behind Jenkins' back (ha, ha...o tempora o mores!) and they negotiated the James' transfer. When the deal was done, Jenkins got an order from Levien to do the paperwork. On the deadline day Jenkins sent James to Leeds to go through with his medical and informed Potter about the deal. What Jenkins didn't expect was: a) Swansea fans got mad on social media, and b) Potter threatened to leave because of 2) and 3).
I am on Twitter and I asure you that Swansea fans have not been so mad since Petty era.
Why do I think Potter threatened to leave? Well, it was clear from his Bristol pre-match conference that he felt he'd been betrayed. He talked a lot about his family, how they left Sweeden where they had had a good life etc. With other words, he was hugely disappointed with what was going on. Between the lines he said "I did all of that and you don't keep your promises? Fuck off!".
So Jenkins had no choice. Had Potter and James left he would be persona non grata in Swansea. He chose instead to undermine Levien's orders and refused to answer Leeds calls knowing that he would either be sacked or forced to resign. Now all the blame is on the American owners and some former Swansea managers (Toshack, Martinez) are telling us how we should be grateful to Jenkins for everything he has done for the club. Many Swansea fans are buying the story about Jenkins being the hero who stood up to the American owners.