West Ham learn Jordan James asking price after deal 'agreed'

West Ham United are set to make a move for Stade Rennais midfielder Jordan James after his season on loan at Leicester City.

The midfielder won EFL Young Player of the Season despite the Foxes’ relegation to League One, after he scored 11 goals from deep midfield.

The 21-year-old was the rarest of bright spots for a seriously struggling Leicester, who may well have stayed up had he not been injured for a month between January and February.

The Foxes had reportedly agreed a deal with Stade Rennais that would have seen him sign permanently at the King Power Stadium in a deal worth around £5million had they stayed up.

But Leicester’s relegation appears to be a gain for both West Ham transfer chiefs and the French club, after they signed James from Birmingham City in 2024 for around £4m.

Stade Rennais want to quadruple Jordan James money

Football Insider exclusively revealed this week that West Ham want to sign James this summer as they prepare for the Championship.

The Hammers went down on the final day last month and will be left in serious turmoil if they do not go straight back up next season.

Several players are expected to leave the London Stadium in the coming months, with West Ham hoping to raise significant funds.

Coming the other way will be players ready for the second tier, and James is a perfect example.

According to L’Equipe, Stade Rennais are delighted with the midfielder’s loan spell at Leicester, and now expect offers of up to £20m this summer.

West Ham’s desire to sign the Wales international will be tested by that price tag, which would be the most expensive fee ever seen in the Championship.

Most expensive Championship signings ever

Sindre Walle Egeli’s £17.5m move from Nordsjaelland to Ipswich Town last summer is currently the most expensive Championship signing ever.

Moves for Finn Azaz and Kasey McAteer are also costly, but not close to the potential £20m West Ham could splash on James.

But few clubs richer than West Ham have been relegated, either, with the squad full of very sellable players.

The likes of Mateus Fernandes, Jarrod Bowen, Konstantinos Mavrapanos and Cryscenio Summerville are expected to attract large fees this summer.

West Ham could even break the record twice, should they receive the level of fees they will expect.