Leeds United face Premier League competition for Birmingham City ace Jordan James
Jordan James is in demand this summer and Leeds United may need to act quickly if they’re to sign him over a host of other clubs.
Birmingham World reported on 1 August that while six clubs have expressed interest in signing the Birmingham City midfielder, not a single one have yet tabled a bid for the 20-year-old Wales international.
That list includes the Whites, alongside Brighton, Ipswich Town, Leicester, Newcastle United and Southampton, with Daniel Farke’s side the only one of the six not playing Premier League football.
Becoming a full international at just 18, James was praised to the hilt after his performance against Croatia on 15 October 2023 by his ex-Wales manager Rob Page in BirminghamLive, who said: “What about young JJ’s performance against one of the best midfields in world football?
“He’s got to be looking at [Luka] Modric tonight thinking ‘Oh my God’ – he’s gonna go far that kid, he really is.”
Leeds United must show they can compete in top-flight transfer bid
Taking on five Premier League sides for James’ signature – including three who achieved promotion at their expense last season – could prove both a help and a hindrance for United in their pursuit.
James was relegated to League One with Birmingham last season despite netting eight goals from midfield, and it remains to be seen in which of the top three tiers he’ll be playing in the new campaign.
On one hand, James making the immediate step back up to the Championship could give the 20-year- the best chance to further his development, having only played two-and-a-half full seasons to date.
However, the lure of the Premier League, and the pay packet which could come with it, may be too enticing to the Welsh international if he wants to prove his worth at the highest possible level.
The impeding sale of Crysencio Summerville to West Ham [Fabrizio Romano, 1 August] should also free up funds for the Whites to draw level with their top-flight rivals in term of a transfer fee, funds which must be put to good use.
And with the exits of players like Jamie Shackleton, Archie Gray, and most recently Glen Kamara already this summer [Fabrizio Romano, 16 July], Farke is in need of a dynamic, forward-thinking midfielder to bolster his ranks.
In other Leeds news, a ‘clear winner’ from the Whites’ pre-season camp in Germany has been highlighted ahead of their Championship’s opener.
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