Jordan James: Premier League clubs to circle for award nominee as Leicester City loan set to expire
Jordan James is bound to attract attention from Premier League clubs once the Leicester City loanee returns to Rennes this summer.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been a total revelation for the Foxes in what has been a rather difficult season in the Championship, with relegation to League One still very much on the cards.
In 29 matches, the Welsh talent has notched 10 goals and four assists, and Gary Rowett’s side would be even further away from safety without his goal involvements at the King Power Stadium.
James has now been shortlisted for this year’s EFL Awards, being named as a nominee for the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, which could earn him a move to the Premier League.
Jordan James bound to return to England next season
James rose to fame at Birmingham City, making 105 first-team appearances after graduating from the club’s academy, only for Ligue 1 side Rennes to take a chance on him.
The Welshman’s move to France has not worked out as hoped, though, having to return to the Championship on loan for the 2025-26 season, where he has been one of the division’s best players.
His performances will have piqued a lot of interest from Premier League clubs ahead of the summer, with James now proving his talents on the international stage under Craig Bellamy as well.
| Jordan James’ 2025-26 campaign | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 2001 |
| Goals | Assists | 10 | 4 |
| Chances created | 49 |
| Big chances created | 4 |
| Touches | 1101 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.48 |
| Recoveries per 90 | 3.69 |
| Yellow cards | 6 |
The player still has several games left to increase his price tag, and if he can play a crucial role in keeping Leicester in the Championship, it could trigger some big-money moves for his signature.
Should clubs be concerned about the midfielder’s injury issues?
There were rarely issues with his fitness levels in the first half of the season, but at the most important part of the campaign, supporters are crossing their fingers that he’s ready to feature.
He missed six games with a hamstring injury between January and February, missing several key games, and now he’s returned from international duty with another problem.
James has missed games against Preston and Sheffield Wednesday, from which Leicester could only seal two points, but there is hope that he’ll be fit for the end-of-season run-in.
Clubs from the division above will, undoubtedly, be keeping tabs on his performance once he returns from injury, and rightly so, given his overall campaign in the Championship.
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