Wrexham are in the market for another midfielder, and Phil Parkinson may have kept tabs on Jordan James’ situation in France.
Callum Doyle joined Wrexham on Thursday, as the defender finalised a seven-figure move from Manchester City.
Wrexham have now made 10 signings this summer, and Phil Parkinson is still chasing further additions.
Wrexham’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon highlighted that there is still work to be done before the window closes.
Reports suggest that Wrexham want to sign a new midfielder before the transfer deadline, with three targets named on Sunday.
West Ham United’s Andy Irving, Southampton’s Will Smallbone and Stade Rennais ace Jordan James are all on the Wrexham radar.
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Wrexham target Jordan James not involved in Rennes defeat
The first of those names to be linked was James.
Speculation last week suggested that Wrexham had started talks to sign James in a £4.3million raid.
James only joined Rennes last summer, leaving Birmingham City for a move to France’s top flight.
Further reports on Sunday suggested that Wrexham were ready to pay up for James in the hope of beating both Ipswich Town and Parma to his signature.
Intriguingly, Rennes were in action on Sunday afternoon – but James was not even involved on the bench for a 4-0 defeat at Lorient.
James did make the bench for Rennes in their season-opener against Marseille last weekend, but he didn’t come on.
This week, James wasn’t even in the squad, which raises question marks over his future with Rennes.
No injury has been reported in the French media, meaning James has surely either been left out because he’s simply down the pecking order or because he is likely to move on.
Either would play right into Wrexham’s hands, with Parkinson and co surely feeling some level of confidence over a potential move.
Jordan James inspired by Mason Mount
James came up in the Birmingham ranks and managed more than 100 appearances for the Blues before heading to Rennes.
The Welshman admitted after his breakthrough that he was inspired by Mason Mount, who played for Chelsea at the time.
James wore number 19 at Birmingham as a result, and admitted to The Athletic that he thinks Mount offers similar attributes in midfield.
“He’s my favourite player at the moment, so 19 just felt right,” said James. “Every time I watch him, he’s the hardest worker on the pitch, and that’s a really big thing for me.
“He’s got so much quality, and he brings so much. I like how he can go back and forward, and I think that’s similar to my game,” he added.
Kieffer Moore has taken the number 19 shirt at Wrexham, so James will need to find a different number if he does make the move to the STōK Cae Ras, with Parkinson surely hoping for some movement this week.