Jordan James is heading back to the West Midlands to join Birmingham City's Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Blues academy graduate has been one of the most in-demand players on the market this summer, with a quartet of Championship promotion hopefuls chasing his signature.
Wolves win race for Wales international
Wolves, West Ham, Burnley and Middlesbrough have all been heavily linked with the 22-year-old Wales international. But Wolves appear to have won the race, with widespread reports claiming James will undergo a medical later today (Wednesday).
James is due to join Wolves on loan from Rennes, with an option for the deal to be made permanent next summer. The whole package is said to be worth around £10m, including the loan fee and purchase option.
Goal-scoring midfielder with proven Championship record
There have been few better goal-scoring midfielders in the Championship in recent seasons than James. He netted eight league goals in 2023/24 in a struggling Blues side before completing a transfer to French side Rennes, where he played 23 Ligue 1 matches.
James joined Leicester City on loan last August and notched 11 goals in another impressive Championship campaign to win the EFL Young Player of the Year award.
Impact on Wolves midfield and Birmingham City finances
The Hereford-born star will bolster Cesar Peixoto's midfield options at Molineux and compete for a place with Andre, Marshall Munetsi and ex-Blues loanee Tommy Doyle.
If Wolves exercise their option to sign James permanently, Blues will reportedly bank a small percentage of the profit Rennes make.
