Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray has now given his verdict on Jordan James’ future, amid rumours linking him with Atalanta.
Birmingham City kick-started life under Mowbray yesterday, earning a point in what was an entertaining 2-2 draw at home against Swansea City in the Championship.
Goals from Siriki Dembele and James earned Blues the point, with James netting his sixth goal of the season right at the death to salvage a draw.
It comes after a week of growing reports linking the Welsh international with a move to Italy; Atalanta are said to have reached an agreement to sign the 19-year-old, and Mowbray has now had his say on the midfielder.
Tony Mowbray doesn’t rule out potential Jordan James exit
Speaking to Birmingham Live after yesterday’s game, Mowbray said of the current situation regarding James:
“Is there anything going on? Nothing that I can tell you at the moment but I wouldn’t rule anything off the table. I have been public and said, ‘You don’t want to sell your best young players’. If we sell our best young player and bring four really talented players in who can help us in the Championship, I will think about that because what’s most important for this football club is that we stabilise this year and that we build, and keep building.”
Mowbray opted to start James on the bench yesterday. It was his 25th Championship appearance of the season and his goal now leaves him and Dembele just one behind top scorer Jay Stansfield.
Mowbray comments suggests Birmingham City boss wants funds
Mowbray’s comments on James are certainly interesting.
It seems like the Blues boss knows that something may go through this month, but that Mowbray doesn’t necessarily view it as a totally bad thing.
Whilst selling the club’s best young player, as Mowbray puts it, is never ideal, it does mean that the club could then have some money to sign a handful of new players.
And Birmingham City are certainly in need of some new signings and so sacrificing James could be the best bet for Blues this month.
But there’s no guarantee that Birmingham City get a deal over the line and no guarantee that Mowbray is then given some added transfer funds for the transfer window.
And with the window almost half way done now, there would be very little time for Mowbray and co to bring in the required players, especially with James’ rumoured move to Italy still looking like it might have some hurdles.
Birmingham City face Hull City in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday night before returning to Championship duties away at Stoke City next weekend.