West Ham United have been avid scouters of the Football League in the past and are looking to sign a rising EFL star who was recently relegated to League One, according to the latest reports.
The Hammers finished in a respectable ninth place this season in the Premier League and it was announced that manager David Moyes would be leaving the London Stadium after four-and-a-half years in charge. Julen Lopetegui, the former Real Madrid and Sevilla boss, has been named as the Scot’s successor in the dugout.
The appointment of Lopetegui will certainly have changed the club’s recruitment plans this summer. Over the past 12 months, Moyes has had very different ideas in the transfer market compared to sporting director Tim Steidten which often led to friction between the two parties.
One of the prerequisites of Lopetegui taking the job will be working alongside Steidten during the transfer window. One name who is said to be on the club’s list this summer is Birmingham City midfielder Jordan James.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, West Ham United are keen on signing the 20-year-old Welsh midfielder over the coming months following the Blues’ unprecedented relegation to League One this season. Furthermore, Nixon is claiming that newly-promoted Premier League side Leicester City are also in the running.
During the winter window, there was interest from teams abroad in the Wales international, with Europa League champions Atalanta keen on his signature. The West Midlands club are reportedly holding out for £8.6 million for James.
Writer’s View
James was a bright spark in a relatively gloomy campaign for Birmingham. Despite the club’s relegation to England’s third tier, the teenager played 47 times in all competitions, scoring eight goals in the Championship.
West Ham United have signed several players from the EFL in the past, including James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen, just to name a few. James could be the next star from the divisions below to excel in East London.
