Crystal Palace chiefs view a former Birmingham City star as the ‘ideal signing’ for their next manager, with talks already opened.
Palace make summer transfer plans as European final looms
Palace have 11 days to prepare for one of the biggest games in their history.
The Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27 represents a chance to win their first European trophy and cap a season that, domestically at least, has been largely forgettable.
15th in the Premier League and no permanent manager in place once Oliver Glasner leaves, there is plenty to sort out at Selhurst Park before next season.
The managerial situation remains unresolved.
Andoni Iraola is Palace’s dream target, and Chelsea’s pursuit of Xabi Alonso — who is in advanced talks over a Stamford Bridge move — may free up the Bournemouth boss to look towards south London, but nothing is certain.
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Glasner’s looming departure will leave a void that needs filling urgently, and whoever takes the job will inherit a squad that requires surgery.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is allegedly closing in on a permanent move to AC Milan, with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport describing negotiations as being at a “very advanced stage.”
Meanwhile, FC Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio has reportedly been contacted alongside Bournemouth and Everton, with his representatives fielding interest from across the Premier League.
And now, another name has entered the frame — this time in midfield.
Crystal Palace in early talks to sign Rennes midfielder Jordan James
According to Football Insider’s Wayne Veysey, Palace have opened preliminary talks to sign Jordan James.
The 21-year-old Welsh international has been on loan at Leicester City from Rennes this season, and despite the Foxes’ catastrophic relegation to League One, he has been one of the standout performers in the Championship.
11 goals and four assists in 34 appearances earned him a clean sweep of Leicester’s end-of-season awards — Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
For a central midfielder in a relegated side to produce those numbers is exceptional.
Football Insider report that Palace’s recruitment team have been tracking James closely and view him as an “ideal signing” who fits the profile they are looking for this summer.
They’ve also opened preliminary talks.
The club are keen to add a midfielder with energy, goal threat and Premier League potential, and James ticks every box.
The complication is that Leicester reportedly hold a £7m option to buy as part of the loan agreement with Rennes.
Whether the Foxes trigger that clause remains unclear — League One football and the financial constraints that come with it may make retaining a player of James’ calibre very difficult.
If Leicester do not activate the option, James would return to Rennes, where his contract runs until 2028.
Palace would then need to negotiate directly with the French club, and the price would almost certainly be higher.
James’ stock has risen significantly since his £4m move from Birmingham City in August 2024, and Rennes will be well aware of what the market is prepared to pay for a young midfielder who has just produced the best season of his career.
Palace’s interest adds another layer to what is shaping up to be a transformative summer in south London.
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