In somewhat of a coup for Marti Cifuentes’ side, Leicester City have beaten Wrexham and Ipswich Town in the race to sign a highly talented Welshman.
The addition will majorly strengthen the Foxes’ squad, which has already started the season well, picking up nine points in their first four games.
Leicester City To Secure Jordan James Loan Deal
Leicester have beaten the likes of Wrexham, Ipswich and Serie A side Parma to secure the services of Stade Rennais midfielder Jordan James on a loan deal, as per Darren Witcoop.
James will be no stranger to fans of the Championship, as he came through the youth ranks at Birmingham City.
The midfielder made his debut for the Blues as a 17-year-old in November 2021.
Following injuries and suspensions to a number of Birmingham players, James was able to start fairly regularly and establish himself as a member of the Blues’ first-team squad during the 2021/22 campaign, even scoring his first goal in senior football. In total, he played 21 games during the 21/22 season.
The following campaign saw the youngster make far more appearances, but play slightly fewer minutes in the league. He was largely used from the bench in both the Championship and the cups.
However, James came back with a vengeance in the 2023/24 season. As Birmingham struggled, the Welsh international proved himself to be one of the best midfielders in the Championship in terms of both goalscoring and defending.
He finished the campaign with eight goals in 42 league games and made more interceptions than 95.1% of midfielders.
This form, combined with Birmingham’s relegation, prompted Rennes to sign him in the summer of 2024.
Unfortunately, the 20-cap Welshman was very much a backup player last season. He started just 14 games in the French top flight and scored just once in 25 games in all competitions.
Are Leicester City The Best Club For James?
The youngster reportedly had many potential suitors this summer, but is the King Power Stadium going to be the environment in which he could thrive best?
For all the ambition they have shown this summer, Wrexham are ultimately still a newly-promoted club. The gap in quality between the Championship and League One is one of the biggest in English football, and this has shown in their distinctly average start to the Championship season.
Moving to an environment where there has already been so much change would likely not have been productive for James.
Earlier in the summer, Ipswich may have been a more suitable home for the Welsh international. Both Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo had left the club, leaving Kieran McKenna light on options in central midfield. However, they have since secured the return of Jens-Lys Cajuste as well as the signings of Azor Matusiwa and Marcelino Núñez.
These additions would have made competition for places at Portman Road very high, something which would not have been ideal for James, who needs regular minutes.
Leicester, by contrast, are light on options in the centre of the pitch following the departure of Wilfred Ndidi. James should back himself to break into the Foxes’ first-choice XI over the likes of Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks.
This means he should be set for a season of regular game time with a side who are pushing for promotion, making the King Power an excellent choice of club.