Leicester City: Birmingham relegation could open the door for cut-price transfer deal - View | OneFootball

It was a disastrous end to the season for Birmingham City as they were relegated from the Championship.

The Blues made the controversial decision to replace John Eustace with Wayne Rooney in October, despite sitting sixth in the table at the time, and it is fair to say the move did not work out.

Rooney was sacked in January after winning just two of his 15 games in charge, and his replacement, Tony Mowbray, made a strong start to life in the role, but he was forced to step down temporarily in February due to health reasons.

Mowbray's assistant Mark Venus initially took charge in his absence, but after Birmingham picked up just one point from six games under his guidance, former manager Gary Rowett returned as interim head coach in March.

Rowett did improve the Blues' fortunes, winning three and drawing two of his eight games at the helm, but it was not enough to prevent the club's relegation.

Birmingham beat Norwich City 1-0 at St. Andrew's on the final day of the season, but with Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers all winning, they were condemned to the drop.

They will now begin preparations for life in League One, and they will be boosted by the return of Mowbray, who is expected to return for the start of pre-season, but they will face a number of challenges this summer - most notably keeping hold of their best players.

Midfielder Jordan James was one of the shining lights in an incredibly disappointing season for Birmingham, but with significant interest in his services, the club will be vulnerable to losing him over the coming months.

Among the clubs said to be keen on James are Leicester City, who will be back in the Premier League next season after winning the Championship title, and the Blues' relegation could open the door for the Foxes to make a move.

Leicester City should step up Jordan James pursuit after Birmingham City relegation

After coming through the Birmingham academy, James has established himself as an integral part of the first team in recent years.

James was a regular this season for the Blues, and despite his side's struggles, he enjoyed an excellent campaign on an individual level, scoring an impressive eight goals from midfield.

The 19-year-old was deservedly nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season award, and while he lost out to Leeds United's Archie Gray, it does not detract from his impressive year.

It is not just at club level that James has developed this season, and he has become an important part of the Wales squad, starting both games for Rob Page's side during the March international break as they missed out on qualification for Euro 2024.

Italian side Atalanta made offers for James in January, but they could not agree terms with Birmingham, and they were not the only club interested in the midfielder.

Journalist Alan Nixon claims that Premier League outfit Crystal Palace made a bid for James, proposing a deal that would have seen him return to St Andrew's on loan until the summer, but they did not meet the Blues' valuation.

Palace have reportedly "stayed in contact" with Birmingham over James, and Atalanta are also continuing to keep tabs on him, while Bologna and Leicester are both said to be keen.

Despite their promotion to the Premier League, it could be a challenging summer for Leicester after they were charged by the Premier League for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, and they may need to sell players, including stars such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Birmingham City unlikely to get huge fee for Jordan James

However, the income from any big money departures could help the Foxes afford a move for James, and Birmingham's relegation may mean that he is available for a cut-price fee.

Mowbray suggested in January that Adam Wharton's move from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace for £18.5 million, rising to £22 million, could be a benchmark for the type of fee the Blues could receive for James, but it seems unlikely they will be able to demand anywhere near that figure as a League One club.

A reduction in Birmingham's valuation could enable Leicester to complete a deal for James, and manager Enzo Maresca may view him as a player that he can develop into a consistent Premier League performer, as well as someone that the club could sell for a big profit in the future.

The Blues will be determined to secure the maximum possible fee for James this summer, but their negotiating position has been severely weakened by relegation, and they may receive much less than they had initially hoped for.

Perhaps a figure of £5 million plus a sell-on is now more realistic for a club that will have to cut their cloth accordingly, and if Dewsbury-Hall is cashed in on by the Foxes this summer, James is someone that is likely to be able to transition to Premier League football very quickly if given the chance.