Birmingham City could be in for a small but welcome financial boost this summer if Jordan James secures a Premier League move to Burnley. However, Football League World understands the windfall won’t significantly impact the Blues’ transfer ambitions.
The Wales international, currently on duty with Craig Bellamy’s squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers, is reportedly on Burnley’s radar as a potential replacement for Josh Brownhill, should the midfielder depart Turf Moor.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, speaking via his Patreon, a fee in the region of £12 million is being touted for the 20-year-old. James, who made his senior breakthrough at Birmingham before moving to Ligue 1 side Rennes, has seen his stock rise significantly over the past 12 months.
But while many Birmingham supporters were hopeful of a significant financial windfall, the reality is more modest. Sources indicate that the fee Rennes originally paid for James was around €8 million (approximately £6.7 million) — much higher than initially believed. As a result, the sell-on clause benefits for Birmingham are not as lucrative as anticipated.
Still, the deal would see Birmingham City receive a percentage of the profit Rennes make on the sale. With a mooted fee of £12 million, and Rennes having paid £6.7 million, the profit margin is roughly £5.3 million. If the sell-on clause includes, for example, a 20% share of the profit, Birmingham could be looking at a payday in the region of £1 million.
While that figure is unlikely to reshape their summer recruitment strategy, every bit of cash helps—especially for a club eager to rebuild after a turbulent season and with ambitions of bouncing back stronger.
Whether Burnley seals the deal remains to be seen, but Birmingham City fans will keep a keen eye on James’ future—not just for the sentimental value, but for the financial implications it carries.
