Man Utd agree Ederson fee as Atalanta ‘to target’ Jordan James, hurting Leicester City hopes | OneFootball

Manchester United’s move for Ederson could extinguish Leicester City’s hopes of bringing back Jordan James, with Atalanta turning to the midfielder as a replacement.

Manchester Evening News reports that United have agreed a £34 million fee, plus £3.8m in add-ons, with Atalanta for the Brazilian. Patreon adds that Atalanta want James as his successor and have approached Rennes.

James, 21, impressed on loan from Rennes, scoring 11 goals and supplying four assists in 34 Championship matches. He swept City’s end-of-season awards, taking young player, players’ player and player of the season. A £4-5 million purchase clause was included, but relegation to League One made a permanent deal highly unlikely.

Villarreal are reported to have already lodged a bid for the Welsh midfielder and are awaiting a response, while a couple of English clubs are also showing interest.

“I’ll forever be grateful for what they gave me,” he told The Independent. “Obviously you build friendships and relationships with your teammates and you’re seeing them suffer because they’ve obviously got longer contracts and that.”

James confirmed his departure last month in a social media post, describing a frustrating season, thanking supporters and wishing the club and fans well.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk