Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Wed 6 May 2026 11:40, UK

Jordan James is a target for West Ham United ahead of the summer window.

Whether it’s Premier League football or Championship football coming to the London Stadium next season, West Ham will have plans in place for either eventuality.

Due to the World Cup, transfer plans may have to be accelerated, and the Hammers have already been linked with several players.

Nuno Espirito Santo will have specific areas in mind that he wants to improve, though he won’t turn his nose up if a big opportunity emerges.

And with James linked with a move to the London Stadium, as revealed by West Ham Zone, that may be one of those scenarios.

Jordan James’ Championship award bodes well for West Ham

Even on the face of it, James would be an excellent signing for West Ham, and one that would come with very few risks.

The 21-year-old scored 11 goals for Leicester in the Championship, despite the team.

And that was enough to earn him recognition, with James named as the Championship Young Player of the Season.

That in itself should spark optimism at the London Stadium, but even more so when taking note of where previous winners of the award have ended up.

Both Bellingham brothers have won it in recent years, and are now both Champions League regulars, with Archie Gray having also won it in 2024.

In fact, every winner of the award since 2020 has gone on to become a regular in the top flight in Europe.

West Ham have no reason to avoid James transfer

The Wales international already has a wealth of experience, and at 21 years old, he still has years ahead of him to develop further.

That immediately reduces the risk of a transfer, knowing that he would still have a signficant resale value if the move were to fail for whatever reason.

But based on his performances in the Championship for a struggling Leicester side, the Hammers should have no worries over that being the case.