Middlesbrough's transfer hopes have been dealt a blow as Wolves reportedly win the £10m race for Jordan James, a 22-year-old midfielder with 11 goals and four assists last season.
What happened?
Wolves are set to win the race for Middlesbrough and West Ham United target Jordan James, a 22-year-old Welsh international midfielder. James has emerged as a target for numerous Championship sides following an excellent campaign with Leicester City last season, despite their relegation to League One.
Why it matters for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have been heavily backed to sign James after he bagged 11 goals and four assists in 34 appearances for the Foxes last term. However, West Ham and Wolves are two sides in receipt of parachute payments, giving them a significant financial advantage over Middlesbrough.
What comes next?
James enjoyed a truly excellent 2025/26 campaign on loan at Leicester in the Championship, with his powerful frame and 6'0"-plus stature giving him the physicality to compete in midfield. He has also developed a real eye for goal, scoring at the rate of most strikers for Leicester, with only the 22-year-old and Abdul Fatawu reaching double figures for goal involvements last term.
Middlesbrough are currently 5th in the Championship, 72 points from 42 games, with a recent form of LDLDD. They are 14 points behind leaders Coventry and have scored 62 goals this season, conceding 42. Their next fixture is against Birmingham at home on February 20, 2027.
The financial advantage of West Ham and Wolves can translate directly into higher wages and bigger transfer fees, making it difficult for ordinary Championship clubs to win bidding wars when either side decides they want to join the table for a player. James' combination of athleticism, physical strength, and increasingly reliable goalscoring makes him an especially attractive midfielder with considerable room to develop before Wolves make a potential move.
