Tony Mowbray answers Jordan James transfer question after 'meeting'

Tony Mowbray has admitted Birmingham City could sell wonderkid midfielder Jordan James if a suitable offer is received, with Blues able to improve in multiple positions with the funds generated.

The Wales international, who has been heavily linked to Italian Serie A club Atalanta, was reportedly the subject of a £4 million bid at the start of January. Italian publications have since claimed James has already agreed personal terms with Atalanta but Blues are yet to accept any offer.

Mowbray has only had a few days to familiarise himself with his new surroundings but the manager has been very busy, not only working to implement his tactics but also discussing potential transfer business. The 60-year-old had a recruitment meeting with Craig Gardner on Thursday and James, who netted Saturday's late equaliser against Swansea City, was bound to have been spoken about.

“Is there anything going on? Nothing that I can tell you at the moment. I wouldn’t rule anything off the table. I’ve been public and said we don’t want to sell our best young players, but if we sell our best young player and bring in four talented players who can really help us in the Championship, I will think about that," Mowbray said on Saturday, following Blues 2-2 draw with Swansea.

“What’s most important for this football club is we stabilise this year and then build. I think when we get to the summer, we should all be expecting to be at the top end of the table next year with the recruitment we bring. Let’s wait and see. We don’t want to sell our best young players and he showed today that he’s in that category with that right-footed rocket he battered in their corner.

“But I don’t want to sit here and tell our supporters, ‘Don’t worry, he’s not going,’ because if he comes in my office and looks me in the eye, telling me he wants to go… You want players who are going to be with you and if you can strengthen the team, making us stronger all across in midfield, the wing, striker and at centre-half, why wouldn’t you do that? This kid’s not worth a couple of million, he’s worth a lot more than that if it’s going to get done," Mowbray concluded.