James had options - but Wrexham not among them

Jordan James during Wales training Image source, FAW
Image caption,

Jordan James has scored once in six league appearances for Wolves, all of which have come from the bench

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Jordan James says he turned down possible Premier League moves to join Wolverhampton Wanderers last month – and that talk of signing for Wrexham ended in the summer of 2025.

The Wales midfielder is on loan at Championship promotion hopefuls Wolves from French club Rennes.

James is back in the second tier having spent last season on loan at Leicester City, after been heavily linked with Wrexham before signing for the Foxes.

When asked whether Wrexham had been a potential destination in the most recent transfer window, James said: "That ship sailed I think. It was on last year.

"I'm glad I went to Leicester, I had such a good season - I enjoyed it so much."

Portugal v Wales

Nations League Group A4

Thursday, 24 September, 19:45 BST

Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon

Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

James was named player of the year at Leicester, where he scored 11 goals in 34 appearances, but could not save the club from relegation to League One.

"Leicester is a club that I love dearly, they gave me the most confidence to go out and perform," he added.

"Obviously it didn't go the way I wanted it to [for the team]. Probably if we'd done a bit better I would have thought about staying, but obviously we got relegated so I had to look elsewhere and Wolves was the place straight away."

Figure caption,

Nations League: Portugal first up as Wales face League A challenge

Former Birmingham City youngster James is expected to start in Wales' Nations League opener against Portugal on Thursday.

His only starts so far this season have been in the EFL Cup, with his six league appearances for Wolves coming from the bench.

The Molineux club have an option to buy James when his loan ends next summer, and he says the plan is to reach the top flight with Wolves.

"It's a big club, a club that's looking to get promoted and the place I want to be is the Premier League," James said.

"I know that I'm good enough to be there. It's just obviously showing that and being at a club that were able to give me that opportunity and I feel like Wolves is the place."

When asked whether he could have moved to the Premier League this summer, James added: "There were a lot of opportunities. I had a lot of offers on the table. I just didn't think it was right.

"I didn't want to go to the Premier League and be in a losing team again.

"I've been in a losing team now with Birmingham and with Leicester, I want to win games."

Pick your Wales side to face Portugal

Choose a formation and Wales XI for the opening Nations League A game in Lisbon on Thursday, 24 September