New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has ordered a move for a star dubbed a Welsh wizard and talks have been held it is claimed.
West Ham’s rebuild looks increasingly likely to be around young, British talent.
Julen Lopetegui has been given the title ‘head coach’ at West Ham.
That’s because Tim Steidten is in charge of recruitment and transfers.
That does not mean Lopetegui won’t be having his say, far from it.
He and Steidten already have a strong relationship and have been working on West Ham’s major summer overhaul.
With so much work to do in order to make the eight or nine signings needed, Lopetegui is effectively working for free until his Hammers contract officially begins on July 1st.
Hammers going homegrown
West Ham’s transfer policy is also being dictated by the Premier League’s Homegrown Player Rule.
The Hammers are short on that requirement and are targeting British players, many of them from the Championship.
Boyhood Hammers fan Sammie Szmodics is being considered by West Ham.
And The Guardian recently claimed Steidten wants to sign Jacob Greaves of Hull and of Coventry’s Callum O’Hare.
Now another name has been added to West Ham’s list in the shape of Jordan James.
Because Lopetegui has ordered a West Ham move for the Welsh wizard as ‘talks are held’.
That’s according to a new report from journalist Alan Nixon, who has strong contacts in the Championship.
Lopetegui orders move for Welsh wizard James
Sun reporter Nixon has revealed on his Patreon that Lopetegui wants the club to sign 19-year-old James after having him on his radar when he was at Wolves.
Nixon claims Atalanta and Leicester are also interested but West Ham are leading the way as the club has already been in contact with Birmingham.
James is from Hereford. The last time West Ham signed a winger from Hereford who was impressing in the Championship it went rather well – Jarrod Bowen.
Although born in England, James’ dad is Welsh and he has opted to represent Wales despite having played two games for England Under 20s.
But what would the talented young winger bring to West Ham?
He scored eight goals in 25 league starts for Birmingham last season, quite the record for a young winger.
A new Bowen for West Ham?
James is just as good defensively as he is going forward and is not afraid to get stuck in.
His finishing, ball interception and tackling are listed as his key strengths by football data experts WhoScored.
He loves to take shots from distance and ping raking cross-field passes to switch the play.
The tigerish young star has great character and personality, often seen cajoling his teammates despite his tender age. He is a powerful runner who is very difficult to get off the ball.
James sounds unerringly like a new Bowen.
If he turns out to be half the player and West Ham can get this deal done then it’s a coup.
Former West Ham star Lee Bowyer is a big admirer and regularly sang James’ praises.
You can check out James in action below.