“Money talks,” says the pundit in response to Leicester City snatching a Birmingham City player with hopes of winning the fight to premier league…
Carlton Palmer believes Birmingham City will struggle to hold on to Jordan James beyond the summer window, as Leicester City joined a growing list of admirers of the midfielder.
Jordan James transfer latest
It has been a miserable campaign for Blues, as they sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference, with eight games to go after the international break.
However, despite the overall struggles of the side, it has been an excellent season for Jordan James, who has managed to establish himself as a key player.
The Welsh international has impressed with his goal scoring ability, as he has managed eight goals from midfield, and his all-round performances have been good.
Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that the teenager is attracting transfer attention from top-flight clubs across the continent.
Atalanta made a move to sign James in January, whilst the likes of Crystal Palace and Newcastle are thought to be keen.
And, in a fresh update last week, it was claimed that Leicester want to sign James, although it’s likely they will need to win promotion to make that happen.
Carlton Palmer on Jordan James’ future
So, it appears as though the player, and Blues, could have a big call to make on his future in the summer, but ex-England international Palmer told FLW that James must continue to prioritise game time when he considers his next club.
“James is having a fantastic season for Birmingham. At 19, he’s already racked up nearly 100 appearances, and his tally of eight goals in the Championship as a midfield player has seen his stock rise immensely.
“He’s a very, very talented young guy, and there’s a host of Premier League clubs and foreign clubs looking at him. With Birmingham, the new owners came in and they’re very ambitious in what they want to do, but, again, we all say that money talks, so I think it will be a case of whether they get a big enough offer to let him go in the summer.
“It would certainly help Birmingham, if they got a big offer, to bring in the players to mount a challenge next season, which is what they want to do. They want to get back to the big time, so obviously you want to keep your best young players.
“It might be the case that James does sign for a Premier League club and is loaned back to Birmingham for next season. As I’ve said, there’s no point in young players going to a Premier League club and not playing football, and not get their education.
“James is a regular for Birmingham, his fee is only going to go up, his stock is only going to rise, but I think it’s only a matter of time until he joins a Premier League outfit.”
Birmingham’s summer plans
It’s going to be a huge summer for Blues, but the immediate priority is staying in the Championship, with Gary Rowett set to take over for the remainder of the campaign.
