Wrexham are eyeing a former Birmingham City player but it seems unlikely he’ll want to join Phil Parkinson’s side.
Throughout the 2025 summer transfer window, Wrexham and Birmingham City have competed for a lot of players.
Birmingham signed Tommy Doyle from Wolverhampton Wanderers after links to the Dragons.
The Blues were interested in Lewis O’Brien, who has now become a key figure at Wrexham this season.
Elsewhere, Harry Darling is impressing for Norwich City after both clubs failed to land the ex-Swansea City defender.
Now, Phil Parkinson and Co. are thought to be eyeing a move for a former Birmingham ace.
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Jordan James Birmingham City exit comments should worry Wrexham
Reports emerging from France this week say that Wrexham are moving to sign Rennes midfielder Jordan James in a deal worth around €5m (£4.3m)
Before moving to Europe, James had spent his entire career on the books of Birmingham.
He left St Andrew’s last summer following their relegation to League One, and the reason for his exit surely suggests he won’t want to sign for Wrexham.
In an interview in late March 2025, as per Birmingham Live, James said he wanted to ‘play in the top flight of football’ and compete for European places, which, obviously, Parkinson’s side are unable to do.
He said: “I’ve been at Birmingham City my whole life but I wanted something new.
“It was a decision that me and my family made. I want to play in the top flight of football and that is what this club does.
“I want to be fighting for Champions League and Europa League and this was the perfect opportunity to do that.”
Unless his stance has since changed, it seems unlikely James will now want to return to the Championship.
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Jordan James stats
During his time with Birmingham, James made 105 senior appearances, in which he scored 10 and assisted two.
Following his move to Rennes, however, the 21-year-old struggled to earn any sort of consistent minutes.
He played 25 matches last season but only completed 90 minutes in Ligue 1 on four occasions.
James is a central midfielder capable of playing as a number 10 and in a slightly deeper role.