Town are claimed to be the frontrunners in the chase for Birmingham City midfielder Jordan James.

According to HITC, the Blues are currently trying to do a deal to sign the Wales international, who is expected to leave the Midlanders following their relegation to League One and is available for a fee in excess of £10 million.

Newcastle United, Brighton, Brentford, Leicester and Southampton have previously been linked, while Europa League winners Atalanta are also said to be keen having made bids in January, but with Town currently in pole position.

Hereford-born James, 20, came through the ranks at St Andrew’s and won England U20 caps as a youngster having previously played for Wales at U15, U16 and U18 levels, before committing his international career to the Welsh, for whom he qualifies through his father, former Football League defender Tony.

James, who scored Birmingham’s goal in their 3-1 defeat to the Blues at Portman Road in February, has made 54 senior domestic starts and 50 sub appearances, scoring 10 goals.

Another central midfielder is very much on Town’s wishlist this summer, the Blues having lost out to Southampton for Portman Road old boy Flynn Downes.

James is contracted for only another year but with Birmingham having an option for a further season.


Former Wales boss Rob Page was a big fan of the midfielder: “He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it … he ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything.

“He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that.”

Meanwhile, Town are continuing discussions with Blackburn regarding forward Sammie Szmodics with the two clubs inching towards an agreement which would see the 28-year-old join the Blues.

TWTD revealed that the Blues had made a move for the Colchester-born Irish international a fortnight ago with protracted negotiations having been ongoing even prior to that.

Photo: Gareth Evans/News Images/Sipa USA

KBsSocks added 16:54 - Jul 26 :)
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FreddySteady added 17:08 - Jul 26 A midfielder!!
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Gforce added 17:20 - Jul 26 Admittedly I don't know too much about him, but at only 20 years old has plenty of years ahead of him,to improve under Mckenna. If he's as good as Rob Page describes he would be an excellent signing, hopefully we can tie him down to a long contract. Fingers crossed.
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ruds added 17:21 - Jul 26 Ooooohhhhh sit down, Oooooh sit down..... & settle in for one hell of a season ahead of us boys and girls COYB
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Linkboy13 added 17:30 - Jul 26 Another saga begins (let's hope not). Definitely the type of midfielder we desperately need to take the pressure off Sam Morsy. Looks strong and physical which is what is needed in the Premier league players are not only technically better but also better athletes. At 20 he's still very young and Although not outstanding at Portman road under the magician McKenna he will get even better. The midfield area is so vital in the Premier league it important to win the physical battles otherwise you are going to struggle.

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:37 - Jul 26 As a Welsh town fan, I watched all of Wales’ qualifying efforts and in a bit of a pipe dream i did think he’d be a great successor to Morsey or Luongo. Hell of a player. I hate the hope but I so want this to happen. He’s going to be worth a lot more than £10m after a season with KMK.
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Clemcc added 18:37 - Jul 26 How the heck did we get Davis, Hirst and Broadhead for 1.5m-ish?????? Wow
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TimmyH added 18:56 - Jul 26 Current transfer process reminds me of when we were in the Championship under Paul Hurst when we were picking off the cream of League one and two (we know how that ended)...we seem to be doing it with last seasons cream of the Championship (and the season before) with Muric.
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TimmyH added 18:58 - Jul 26 Clemcc - quite simple, clubs escalate the price tags on their players once they know you're in the Premiership.
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ITFC_Singapore added 19:02 - Jul 26 I remember thinking he was a proper tool in that game at FPR last season. Will probably love him if he's in our team ! :)
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bringmeaKuqi added 19:26 - Jul 26 Incredibly highly-rated, international caps through the youth systems, only 20. Get, him, in. I feel like he is on a similar trajectory career-wise to Adam Wharton. That said, I also feel we need a bit of a rough 'em up midfield cover should (when) Morsy get banned. Might also need to bring in a more experienced cover. Downes could possibly have covered both options. But my god, if we get Greaves and James I think we've plucked the two hottest properties in the Championship last year. PS, still keen for us to bring back Sarmiento. He scored for Brighton in a friendly today. I don't see why it's not being discussed more?

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Linkboy13 added 20:21 - Jul 26 It's not being discussed because McKenna thinks Sarmiento is not Premier league quality and I agree with him he was a impact player in the championship. We cant sign players because of their popularity with the fans we have to use our heads not our hearts.
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Kickingblock added 20:59 - Jul 26 Is it a motor race? Brum - Brum!
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blues1 added 21:27 - Jul 26 Linkboy13. Spot on re Sarmiento.
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bluebullet29l added 22:09 - Jul 26 Never heard of him....but if its anything like the szmodics saga it won't happen.....well not this side of Christmas
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BeattiesBackPocket added 22:28 - Jul 26 TimmyH are you really comparing the signings under Hirst with McKennas signings? It’s probably the most laughable comment I’ve seen on here since people saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ have you forgotten we’ve signed players from Man City, West Ham, Chelsea this season?
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Van_Blue added 00:22 - Jul 27 I like the sound of this one. Look at the goal he scored at PR last season, held his run into the area (bit like Ramsey used to do and Chaplin does). Never mind he tried to wind up the Blue Army, he can do that all he likes if he's playing for us.
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Van_Blue added 00:23 - Jul 27 Of, course, he knows Wes and Broady well and can get some Town insights from them.
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Len_Brennan added 08:01 - Jul 27 I get the argument that we are signing players 'unproven' in the league that we will be playing in this season, and yes that does resemble the approach taken by Paul Hurst, who brought players from Leagues 1 & 2 to the Championship ... but this is also different. The players Hurst signed, or tried sign (Curtis Tilt) were not regarded as some of the best young talent in the country, who at aneven younger age were identified & educated by the best academies in the country. The reason that Toto Nsiala, Jon Nolan & even Kayden Jackson had not played in the Championship when we signed them, was mainly because other Championship managers were unconvinced that they had what it took to make it at that level, or that they could make a profit (their money back) if/when selling them on. McKenna & Ashton are taking a different approach. We are signing/targeting highly rated young players, with huge potential for improvement, & therefore resale value if it comes to it, who fit an identifed model of player (ability & character) that will slot into a McKenna side in both a specific role, but also with versatility to cover other positions in the event of injury or suspension. Of course it is still a risk given the sheer quality & riches of the Premier League, but it does provide a safety net in the event of relegation, in that these players are young, will not be on £100k+ salaries, will be likely to stay with us for a season to get back up on reduced wages (clause in contract) but are highly saleable if a) we need to cut costs & b) they wish to stay in the Prem. I think we are putting a strong squad of well targetted players together, who will have a good chance of staying up because our manager will have integrated them into our team of hard working individuals who know their role & their teammates game. Plus there are goals all over the team AND we will undoubtedly bring in a couple of experienced pros, maybe on loan, before the window shuts.

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ArnieM added 08:44 - Jul 27 Length, this club is future proofing. ALL these young English players will be an increasing asset value. Even if we do get relegated, what a team we will have in the Championship! And promotion back to PL a strong possibility. But I think we will survive this season. We have never seen the likes of what is currently going on at this Club. The younger fans who never witnessed the awesome SBR era, now have their era under McKenna. Do not miss it, be use he won't be here forever, because like all special people, he will be taken from us. So I say to all Town fans enjoy every single second of what's sporting now, and embrace it like it's your last moment. But feel the emense pride like I do, and revel in the knowledge that this Club is a truly unique and special club, and it always has been.

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TimmyH added 10:56 - Jul 27 For all those who have down marked me for my original post - it's true! I'm absolutely not saying it will go the same way as under the abject Hurst as I have full faith in McK and Ashton just an observation so not sure why all the down marks! No doubt some decent players in the Championship that CAN make the leap up to the Premiership.
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TimmyH added 10:59 - Jul 27 Beatiiesbackpocket - I thought you'd be one of the first making the comment on my post, it's an observation as per my post above, try not to get irate buddy. As I said what we have at the club now with the board and manager are far more astute than a number of years ago...
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TimmyH added 11:03 - Jul 27 Good reasoned post from Len Brennan - agree, he can see what I was roughly getting at. Yes a good free signing from West Ham but Omari and Liam have had little Premiership experience if any but age is on their side to improve and no doubt they will (hopefully).
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JewellintheTown added 13:22 - Jul 27 £10M for a league 1 club? That's a whole new team if they want. Think of how much we got the likes of Davis, Broadhead, Morsey, Chappers, Burns etc for. B'ham will have some decent money to play with if they buy right.
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