Summer plans for Crystal Palace are already in motion it seems as Dougie Freedman eyes up a midfielder.
This summer, if Oliver Glasner gets his way, could see an overhaul at Selhurst Park in a proper rebuild of the squad.
One position which could see heavy change is the midfield as the like of Will Hughes and Cheick Doucoure could be sold for different reasons, but both would make space for new arrivals.
With Adam Wharton arriving in January, Crystal Palace have one piece of the jigsaw locked in already, but it seems like Dougie Freedman already has his eyes on a midfield addition.
Crystal Palace once more looking in the Championship
Over recent years, success shopping in the Championship will undoubtedly have inspired Palace to be confident looking there in the future.
Just weeks after Wharton arrived in the winter, Freedman hasnt waited around with new Championship based targets already in the mind.
According to a report by Birmingham Live, Palace had Freedman scouting last weekend at a game between Birmingham City and Sunderland.
The target of that mission is thought to be 19-year-old Blues midfielder Jordan James, while Jack Clarke was also watched due to the Eagles long term interest.
Who is Jordan James?
James is a central midfielder and at the age of 19, he’s enjoying a real breakout year with Birmingham. He’s scored seven Championship goals which shows the type of midfielder he is.
Coming through the Birmingham academy, the comparisons were always going to come to Jude Bellingham and with goals becoming his strong suit, he’s showing they’re similar players.
James is a top talent and he’s been backed to reach the top level by his Wales boss Rob Page.
“He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it … he ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything. He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that.”
He’s been capped for Wales eight times, and signing him now would be a smart move by Palace as he seems like he could explode in the next few months to a year.
