5th Apr 2024 • Written by The Palace Way

Exclusive: Crystal Palace want Birmingham City wonderkid

Credit: Marc Atkins (Getty)

Crystal Palace are interested in Birmingham City's 19-year-old midfielder Jordan James, The Palace Way sources understand. The Welsh international has scored eight goals so far this season, and was recently nominated for the EFL Championship Young POTS award.

Palace made an approach for James in January, but were rebuffed despite offering to loan him back to Birmingham for the remainder of the season. With midfielders Will Hughes and Jairo Riedewald both out of contract this summer, Oliver Glasner will be keen to bolster his ranks in the middle of the park, and James' status as a young and dynamic player with high-potential fits Palace's recruitment model. James' contract is set to expire in 2025, although Birmingham do have an option to extend for another year.

However, the Eagles are facing competition from Atalanta in Serie A, who made a larger bid for James in January and could potentially offer the player European football. James' fellow countrymen Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey have seen relatively successful spells in Italy, and there seems to be a general increase in British talent flooding to Serie A, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori, and Samuel Iling-Junior.

Big summer sales should give Palace adequate resources to challenge Atalanta for James' signature, and Adam Wharton's game time since joining the Eagles in January will only act in their favour. Palace have become one of the best clubs in England for young Championship talent to make a name for themselves, having recently developed Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, amongst others.

James isn't Palace's only midfield target, however. Burnley's Josh Brownhill is considered a cheaper and more experienced alternative, and will be a free agent come the end of the season. Palace have been monitoring his situation for quite some time, and could make a move for the 28-year-old should the right conditions fall into place.

There was previously extensive interest in Archie Gray at Leeds United, but the young star's price tag has exponentially increased since the start of the season.

Palace are also looking at signing a left-back, centre-back, right-back, winger, and striker.

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