What Jordan James has said about Birmingham City’s reported transfer move for Kyogo Furuhashi | OneFootball

The former Blues midfielder is teammates with their reported Japanese target.

Jordan James - the former Birmingham City midfielder who is currently team-mates with Kyogo Furuhashi - has revealed what he knows about his former side's interest in the Japanese forward.

Birmingham's summer window is yet to get properly underway, although they are reported to have already completed a move to bring in England under-21s goalkeeper James Beadle on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Chris Davies is clearly looking to improve the attacking areas of his team. Links have been made with a number of forward options, including Kyogo. The former Celtic man, who moved to French side Stade Rennes in January for a reported £10 million, is "likely" to move to St Andrew's this summer following a stuttering start to life over on the other side of the channel.

This is according to a story by the Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex. Rennes are said to be open to letting the 30-year-old leave them this summer. The player also wants to get the move done, as per the report.

Jordan James makes Birmingham, Kyogo Furuhashi transfer claim

Birmingham have some recent ties with Stade Rennais - they sold the aforementioned James, their star midfielder at the time, to them last summer for £4 million.

A bit like Kyogo, the Welshman hasn't been at his best since going to France and had more limited time on the pitch last season compared to campaigns of the past with the Blues, starting in just 14 Ligue 1 contests last time out.

Given his connections between the two clubs and with his Japanese team-mate, speculation about what the former Blue may know about the forward's potential move to the Midlands stirred up.

Unfortunately for those waiting with bated breath, Agent James hasn't come back with any fresh details.

"Just to make it clear - don’t have a clue about Kyogo rumours, what a legend though," said the midfielder on X.

Kyogo is one of a couple of attacking targets that Davies' side has been linked with in recent days.

Demarai Gray, a product of the club's academy system, could return to Birmingham just shy of a decade on from his initial departure from the club, with Alan Nixon claiming that they're closing in on a deal.

He currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq but wants to come back to England, as per Ben Jacobs. He would reportedly be available for £8 million.

Kyogo's impressive Celtic record justifies Birmingham City interest

Both Gray and Kyogo's best footballing days haven't been of late, but it isn't that long since the Japanese forward was tearing it up in Scotland.

It's no wonder he got his move to Rennes after racking up 85 goals in 165 appearances for Celtic, but, as can happen in football, things just haven't clicked for him in his latest move.

The talent is clearly there, and with Birmingham the pressure wouldn't necessarily be on him to hit the ground running because of the other striker options that are already there - Jay Stansfield, Alfie May and Lyndon Dykes.