Birmingham City, Jordan James deal may be out of reach unless West Brom win promotion: View | OneFootball

Jordan James’ form this season has made him one of the most in-demand talents plying their trade in the EFL at this moment in time, with a number of clubs said to be after the Birmingham City star’s signature in the upcoming transfer window.

The Welsh international was reported to be gathering interest from Premier League side Newcastle United in January, as well as Italian side Atalanta, while nearby neighbours West Bromwich Albion were also said to be keen.

The calibre of clubs interested in the midfielder proves just what a talent he is destined to be, and City are happy to hang on to their superstar until their reported £10m valuation has been met.

With plenty of interest on the table, Albion face the prospect of missing out on the signing of James, unless they manage to make themselves a top flight club ahead of the next campaign.

Jordan James shines for Birmingham City as transfer interest grows

At just 19 years of age, James has already established himself as one of the key performers at St Andrew’s, with over 100 appearances for the club since making his debut in November 2021.

Following in the footsteps of the both Jude and Jobe Bellingham; the midfielder is the next young, dynamic midfielder from the City academy system to flourish in the Football League, with a big-money move away from the club becoming more and more likely as the summer approaches.

After just two goals in his first two seasons at the club, James has transformed his game into more of an all-action role in the current campaign, having found the back of the net eight times in Birmingham’s fight to stay in the second tier.

The teenager got himself off the mark with a pile driver from all of 25 yards against Huddersfield Town in October, before earning his side a priceless victory against Sheffield Wednesday with a late winner the month after.

The Welshman’s rise to prominence as a box-to-box midfielder has earned himself plenty more admirers this season, as he continues to showcase his complete arsenal of talents that put him head and shoulders above his teammates at St Andrews.

Only striker Jay Stansfield has found the back of the net more times than James this season, while his return of a goal for every five shots taken shows just how clinical he is when he gets the chance, with no Blues player topping that stat.

WIth the sort of qualities that could see him easily have a career at the highest level of the game, a move to the Baggies would seem unlikely at this point in his career, unless Carlos Corberan can get his side promoted via the playoffs this season.

Albion currently sit in fifth spot ahead the weekend’s fixtures, and look a shoe-in for the top six with a seven-point buffer to seventh-place Hull City, although the Tigers do have a game in hand over their rivals.

With two of either Leeds United,Southampton, Ipswich Town or Leicester City going to be competing in the end-of-season lottery, the task to become a Premier League side for the following campaign looks to be a tricky one for the Black Country side, and if they fail in doing so they can all but say goodbye to the idea of bringing James to the club.

Jordan James Birmingham City contract information amid West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United interest

Interest is sure to ramp up towards James the longer the summer goes on, and with the likes of Newcastle said to be interested, it would be hard to hold out for anything but a top tier side; whether that be in England or abroad.

Birmingham knew exactly what sort of talent they had on their hands when they signed James down to a three-year deal in the summer of 2022, with the midfielder coming close to entering the final year of his contract at St Andrew’s.

That makes the likelihood of a summer move all the more feasible, with the Blues wanting to get as much profit they can from such a talented youngster, with a sell-on clause for any future deals likely to be involved.

In terms of James’ career, a move to Albion could guarantee game time at a higher level next season, although whether that is with a team competing at the top of the Championship again or in the top flight remains to be seen.

With an eight-figure price tag said to be on his head, it would be hard for the Baggies to justify that sort of outlay in the second tier, but with the influx of cash that comes with Premier League promotion, they might well try their luck this summer if all goes their way.