"I believe" - Pundit makes £10m-£15m claim amid new Jordan James, Birmingham City update | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Birmingham City could demand between £10-15 million for midfielder Jordan James this summer amid reported interest from Atalanta.

James has progressed through the Blues academy to establish himself in the first team in recent years, and he was one of the star performers this season in an incredibly disappointing campaign for the club.

Birmingham were relegated to League One, but James enjoyed an excellent season on an individual level, and he was nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season award.

Atalanta made offers for James in January, but they could not agree terms with the Blues, and they were not the only club interested in the 19-year-old, with Crystal Palace also reportedly making a bid.

Birmingham could face another battle to hold on to James this summer, with Bologna and Leicester City both said to be keeping tabs on him, while according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atalanta are continuing to monitor the midfielder, who is thought to be keen to leave St Andrew's.

Carlton Palmer on Birmingham City's potential Jordan James valuation

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Birmingham could value James between £10-15 million this summer, and he believes that while the Blues will not want to sell, they may have no choice if he does not sign a new contract at the club.

"It is believed that Atalanta are ready to ignite their interest in Jordan James," Palmer said.

"Birmingham City are relegated now, and they're going to be playing in League One, which is a massive blow for the football club.

"It is believed that Atalanta are very serious about bringing Jordan James to the football club.

"I believe that Birmingham are looking for £10m-£15m for Jordan James, they've already turned down three offers for the 19-year-old, the latest one believed to be about £5 million plus add-ons. "Birmingham are in a strong situation here, his contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2025, and they also have the option of another year. "Birmingham do not want to sell him, but Atalanta keep pursuing him. "If they want to get promoted next year, if they want to get back into the Championship next year, you want to keep a player like Jordan James, and the owners have got good money to invest in the football club. "Do you keep him for one more year on the basis that he could score you the goals to get you up into the Championship? "But the problem then is you're going into the final year of his contract. "So I would assume if he doesn't sign a new contract for Birmingham, their hand will be forced and they will sell him this summer, and they will just get as much money as they can to reinvest in the football club.

"Of course you want to keep the player, but if he doesn't sign a contract, you certainly don't want him leaving on a free."

Jordan James' Birmingham City exit is inevitable this summer

Palmer is right that Birmingham will be reluctant to lose James, but he was one of the best young players in the Championship this season, and they will have little chance of keeping hold of him in League One.

Atalanta seem to have the strongest interest in James, and a move to the Italian side could appeal to the midfielder, particularly after they qualified for the Champions League following their 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

James is also likely to have Premier League suitors, and he will be determined to make the right move, both to continue his progression at club level and cement his place in the Wales team at international level.

Birmingham will be able to demand a sizeable fee for James as he is under contract until 2025, but their negotiating position has been weakened by relegation, and they may need to reduce their asking price.