Middlesbrough tipped to land ‘unbelievable’ deal for Leicester City’s departed star.

Middlesbrough have been identified as one of the Championship clubs interested in signing Stade Rennais midfielder Jordan James following his outstanding loan campaign with Leicester City during the 2025/26 season.

Although Leicester ultimately suffered relegation, James was one of the brighter performers in their squad. The Welsh midfielder scored 11 goals and supplied four assists across 34 appearances, establishing himself as an influential player in the second tier.

According to Alan Nixon, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough are all interested in acquiring James, who is reportedly valued at approximately £10 million.

The 22-year-old developed through the Birmingham City academy before moving to Ligue 1 and joining Rennes. Middlesbrough are now considering whether to strengthen Kim Hellberg’s midfield further before the transfer window closes.

Boro have already brought in Sebastian Berhalter following the departure of Hayden Hackney to Everton, but James could provide another attacking dimension in the centre of the pitch.

Middlesbrough fan backs Jordan James move

Football League World’s Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day was asked for his assessment of James and whether bringing him to the Riverside would represent a major signing.

Day was extremely positive about the midfielder’s potential impact but admitted that he does not expect Middlesbrough to win the race for his signature.

He described the potential acquisition as an “unbelievable signing” for Boro and suggested that James is an exceptional player at Championship level.

James’ campaign with Leicester has clearly made an impression, and Day believes the midfielder could immediately address an area that Middlesbrough have lacked since last season.

The pundit also pointed towards the period when Hackney was unavailable as evidence of the need for another player capable of providing an attacking threat from midfield.

Berhalter has made an encouraging beginning since joining Middlesbrough and already looks capable of making a difference, but Day believes James operates at another level.

For that reason, the prospect of bringing the Welshman to the Riverside would be particularly exciting.

However, financial competition could prove decisive.

Day believes the presence of clubs such as West Ham and Wolves makes a Middlesbrough deal difficult, especially because those teams can offer higher salaries and potentially have greater financial resources.

He also suggested Burnley could be involved in the race.

Given how much Middlesbrough have already spent during the summer, matching the financial packages offered by some of their rivals could prove challenging.

Day therefore believes completing the transfer would be a major achievement for Boro, but he remains doubtful that it will happen.

James could provide what Middlesbrough lack

Aidan Morris and Berhalter could form an effective central-midfield partnership for Hellberg during the new campaign.

Both players are technically capable, comfortable when they have possession and disciplined enough to provide a reliable platform for the more attacking members of the team.

However, there is one obvious weakness in that combination.

Neither midfielder is particularly dominant physically, and neither offers the same consistent goal threat that can come from a dynamic midfielder who regularly attacks the opposition penalty area.

That is precisely where James could become extremely valuable.

His ability to make late runs, attack dangerous areas and contribute goals would give Middlesbrough another attacking weapon.

His physical qualities would also add something different to the midfield.

James’ career record illustrates the progress he has made.

During his time at Birmingham City, he made 105 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists.

At Rennes, he has played 25 times, scoring once and registering one assist.

His loan spell at Leicester, however, produced a significant breakthrough.

In 34 appearances, James scored 11 goals and contributed four assists.

Those numbers underline why several Championship clubs are interested in signing him.

A different profile to Hackney

James would not be an identical replacement for Hackney, but that does not necessarily mean he would be an inferior one.

Hackney offered Middlesbrough considerable creativity, defensive work and control from a deeper midfield position.

James, by comparison, showed more of an attacking instinct during his time at Leicester.

The Welshman is comfortable making forward runs and arriving in the penalty area, while his physicality allows him to compete effectively in demanding situations.

That could give Hellberg’s team an additional dimension.

Middlesbrough already have midfielders who can control possession and progress the ball, so introducing a more athletic and attack-minded player could improve the overall balance.

James’ arrival would therefore be about complementing Morris and Berhalter rather than simply attempting to recreate everything Hackney provided.

£10m could prove excellent value

The reported £10 million valuation makes James an attractive proposition in the current market.

His performances for Leicester demonstrated that he can influence matches at both ends of the pitch, combining physical strength and energy with the ability to contribute goals.

At only 22, he also has plenty of time to improve.

That combination of age, Championship experience and attacking output could make him particularly appealing to clubs beyond the second tier.

It would therefore be understandable if Premier League sides are monitoring his situation.

For ambitious Championship teams, James could represent an opportunity to sign a player who is already proven at their level while retaining the potential to become a top-flight midfielder.

Middlesbrough face difficult competition

Middlesbrough should certainly explore the possibility of signing James, but beating their rivals will be difficult.

West Ham and Wolves possess greater financial strength, while Burnley could also be competing for the midfielder.

Those clubs may be capable of offering more attractive wages and could potentially give James a different route towards Premier League football.

Middlesbrough would therefore need to present a convincing sporting project.

Regular first-team football could be one of their biggest selling points.

If James believes he would have an important role under Hellberg and can see a realistic route to Premier League promotion with Boro, that could help them compete with wealthier clubs.

James could transform Boro’s midfield

Middlesbrough have already strengthened considerably this summer, but adding James could make their midfield even more dangerous.

Morris and Berhalter can provide technical quality and control, while James could bring the athleticism, attacking movement and goalscoring threat that the team currently lacks.

That combination could give Hellberg greater tactical flexibility throughout the campaign.

The question is whether Boro can persuade Rennes and the player to agree to a deal ahead of their rivals.

At £10 million, James could eventually prove to be one of the better-value midfield signings of the summer if he continues developing at his current rate.

Middlesbrough therefore have every reason to pursue the opportunity, even if the competition makes an agreement difficult.

For a club targeting promotion, adding a midfielder who scored 11 Championship goals last season could be a major boost.

James may not be a direct replacement for Hackney, but his different qualities could ultimately make him an equally important part of Middlesbrough’s midfield.