Leeds United could now have the chance to sign a player they wanted last year, and it could easily be the club’s best bargain all summer.
Leeds United look set to bring in a few more players before the summer transfer window shuts on September 1st.
Already, Leeds have signed nine new players after it was confirmed on Thursday morning that Noah Okafor has joined the club from AC Milan.
Okafor was spotted in Leeds undergoing his medical, and now the club have announced that the Swiss international winger has joined the Whites on a permanent deal.
It’s another exciting signing for Daniel Farke. It will also allow him to focus on other areas of the pitch, possibly even in midfield despite the arrivals of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach already this summer.
Leeds could still do with another box-to-box type player in the middle of the park, or someone to just rotate around the team and provide that bit of extra depth and quality.
One such option could be Jordan James.
Jordan James of Birmingham City.
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images
Previous Leeds United transfer target Jordan James looks set for move
Last summer, Leeds were being linked with a move for James. At the time, the Welsh international was playing for Birmingham City, though in the end he sealed a reported £4million move to Ligue 1 side Rennes.
But the 21-year-old endured a rather rough maiden season in France. James featured 23 times in the league, failing to score and claiming just the one assist. It certainly comes as a surprise after his impressive showing with Birmingham City, with eight goals in 42 Championship games in the 2023/24 campaign.
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Now, L’Equipe are reporting that Wrexham are in talks to sign James who’s allowed to leave Rennes for just £4.3million.
Three reasons why Jordan James would be a decent signing for Leeds United
He has huge potential
Despite a poor season in Ligue 1, and despite having never played in the Premier League, there have been Premier League teams such as West Ham linked with the Welsh international in the past, and he showed a lot of promise in his last season at Birmingham City.
And at 21 years old, with good experience in the Championship and on the international stage with Wales, James remains a player with huge potential, and a return to England could be all he needs to get back on track.
Jordan James fits the new Leeds United mould
This summer, Leeds United have been signing taller players. It’s clear that Farke is going for a more physical approach in the Premier League and James would be another player who suits that style.
James stands at 6ft and is hugely powerful in the tackle and on the ball. He can get forward and back and do all the dirty work too, so for Leeds it could be a nice option to have in the midfield.
Team Total apps Goals Assists
Birmingham City 105 10 2
Stade Rennais 25 1 1
Jordan James would be an absolute bargain at £4.3m
Player who shows much potential as James did in the Championship are often slapped with £20million price tags. So the fact that he’s now available for just £4.3m means it could be a somewhat risk-free buy for Leeds.
It’s so little money for a Premier League side that little could go wrong. And if James does get back on track then Leeds could eventually make a huge profit on the player. Already this summer, Leeds United have spent nearly £100m after the arrival of Okafor.