Everton are looking to sign Jordan James from Rennes this summer.
It was Sportsboom who claimed that the Toffees want James after Leicester were relegated to League One, and can no longer activate their £4m option to buy the Wales international after his successful loan spell.
The man born in Hereford has scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 33 Championship appearances, earning himself the Young Player of the Season award across the division.
Former Everton star Wayne Rooney actually managed James while in charge of Birmingham, and only had positive things to say about the David Moyes target.
Don’t hold back, let us know who you want gone this summer 👋
Thierno Barry of Everton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. Tyler Dibling of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton. Carlos Alcaraz appears after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton.
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What Wayne Rooney has said about Jordan James as Everton lurk
Birmingham Live posted a handful of quotes back in December 2023 while the Everton academy graduate was in charge at St Andrew’s – and his comments give fans an idea of what type of player Moyes could soon get in James.
Rooney said: “He’s a very good player. He can play as a six, like he does for Wales, but I think watching him in training, seeing how he can make the box and make really good runs, he’s a good finisher – in my opinion he’s a number eight. As we’ve seen in the last couple of games, he’s done really well from there.
“There’ll be times he plays as an eight, there’ll be times he plays as a six. He’s got that ability.”
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Rooney – who Paul Gascoigne recently praised – also spoke about the character of James during one tough period where the fixtures were coming thick and fast for both Birmingham and Wales.
The 40-year-old added: “There’s a reason why he’s playing for his country. He’s a really good character. When you have three games in a week, you need to monitor players’ loads as well.”
Sportsboom say Rennes are keen to capitalise on the 21-year-old’s outstanding season on loan at the King Power Stadium, placing a £20m price tag on his head after Leicester wasted the chance to trigger that measly £4m clause through relegation.
Interestingly, some Leicester fans on Reddit liken James to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who shone for the Foxes and ultimately earned a £30m move to Chelsea in July 2024, before becoming a key man under Moyes.
That should give Everton supporters an even better understanding of the type of player James is.
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Everton defender Michael Keane.
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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Crystal Palace and Roma are also keen to sign the Rennes midfielder this summer.
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