Middlesbrough backed to strike 'unbelievable' deal for 'ridiculous' ex-Leicester City player | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been urged to sign Rennes midfielder Jordan James for £10m after an excellent loan with Leicester City last season...

Middlesbrough are one of the Championship clubs linked with a move for Stade Rennais midfielder Jordan James after his excellent loan with Leicester City in 2025/26.

Despite relegation, Leicester City enjoyed having the Welshman last term, with Jordan James bagging 11 goals and four assists in 34 appearances. West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Middlesbrough all want James for around £10 million, as per Alan Nixon.

The 22-year-old came through the ranks with Birmingham City before his switch to Ligue 1 but Middlesbrough are looking to add to Kim Hellberg's midfield options before the window shuts, having signed Sebastian Berhalter following Hayden Hackney's exit to Everton.

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FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day was asked about James, with Boro among the Championship clubs waiting on the Rennes player to make a decision on his new home. He is said to be valued at £10 million and we asked for his thoughts and if this would be a big signing.

He said: "It would be an unbelievable signing for Boro if we could get this done. You know he's a ridiculous player at this level.

"He had a great season for Leicester last season and would be an immediate threat for us going forward in this side, which is what I feel our midfield is lacking and has been lacking since last season.

"When Hackney was out, we saw it. Berhalter has had a good start and looks really dangerous and that's been promising.

"But Jordan James seems a different calibre of player and it would be a really exciting one.

"However, I can't see it happening with the quality of sides linked. I think West Ham, Wolves, and Burnley are all up there and they'll all be offering a lot bigger wages than us.

"They probably have more financial power to do so after the amount we've spent. If Boro could get this done, it would be massive.

"But I don't think it's that likely."

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Aidan Morris and Berhalter should form an effective midfield partnership for Middlesbrough under Hellberg this season, particularly in games where control and their technical quality can be prioritised.

Both are comfortable in possession, capable of progressing the ball, and both disciplined enough and intense enough to provide a solid base for Boro's more attacking players. However, there is one obvious concern: neither is especially imposing physically, while neither offers the consistent goal threat of a box-crashing midfielder.

As seen above, that is where James would be so valuable, with his ability to arrive late, attack the penalty area and contribute goals from midfield. His height and physicality are huge assets and Middlesbrough may therefore need to add another player of that profile before the transfer deadline.

Morris and Berhalter can complement one another, but adding a more athletic, goal-threatening midfielder could give Hellberg's side greater balance and another dimension in attack ahead of a Championship promotion push, be that James or someone else.

Championship clubs should be wary of Premier League clubs viewing Jordan James as a market opportunity

At just £10 million, James looks like a genuine bargain in the current market for any of these clubs, particularly after the level he reached during his loan spell with Leicester last season.

His performances in the Championship demonstrated that he can influence games at both ends of the pitch, combining physicality and energy with an ability to arrive in dangerous positions and contribute goals. At that price, it would be no surprise to see Premier League clubs monitoring his situation, never mind ambitious Championship sides looking to strengthen.

Middlesbrough should make a play here but it will not be easy for them to beat the competition, with many of them knowing James is also still young enough to develop considerably, meaning a club signing him now could potentially mould him into a reliable top-flight midfielder.

For a player with his profile and trajectory, £10 million could be excellent value for whoever lands him this summer. He would complement Berhalter and Morris well, but can Middlesbrough beat others to agreeing a deal and guarantee him regular starts as well?