Birmingham City look like they’re on the verge of losing a key midfielder to Italy.
Birmingham City had had a busy month so far. But it’s not exactly been busy on the transfer front.
Blues’ main task this month was finding a replacement for Wayne Rooney, and they’ve now done that, bringing in the experienced Tony Mowbray.
The club can now press on with their transfer plans with new signings seemingly necessary given Blues’ lowly league position.
But the first bit of transfer activity at St Andrew’s this month could be a player exit, and a big one at that.
Jordan James reportedly agrees Atalanta move
Jordan James has been heavily linked with a multi-million move to Italy this month.
Atalanta are said to be keen on signing the Welsh international and now fresh reports coming out of Italy say that James has ‘already reached an agreement’ with the club.
It’s also said that James has agreed a deal until 2028 in a deal worth €4.5million (£3.87million), with ‘final details’ now being ‘discussed’.
The 19-year-old is a product of the Birmingham City academy having risen through the ranks alongside Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
And James has enjoyed his best season to date having scored five in 24 Championship outings for Blues so far this season.
Tony Mowbray dealt early Birmingham City blow
Birmingham City are currently in 20th place of the Championship table and just six points above the drop zone.
Relegation has become a real possibility for Blues and so losing a key player likes James could be fatal; especially so with the likes of Jay Stansfield potentially being on the move as well.
Stansfield and James have scored 12 of Birmingham City’s 30 goals in the Championship this season and so for Mowbray, losing both would really weaken his side’s attacking prowess.
James’ potential move to Atalanta appears to be moving forward and whilst it’s obviously a blow, the money made from his seemingly imminent sale could be put towards new signings.
James himself may need replacing but Mowbray may also have to bring in a new striker to replace Stansfield should he be recalled, then potentially look at defensive additions with Blues having already conceded 41 goals in the Championship this season.
After the season started so brightly, Birmingham City are now in store for a really tough second half of the season.
But in Mowbray, they now have an experienced and proven Championship boss at the helm.