Bologna feel they may have found the next Lewis Ferguson as technical director Giovanni Sartori has identified Birmingham City’s Jordan James as a potential target for the summer transfer window.
At 18 years of age, James has already racked up over 50 senior appearances for Birmingham across all competitions, 48 of which have come in the Championship.
The young central midfielder has also already been capped by the Wales senior national team, earning his first cap after coming on as a late substitute in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in March.
James was also selected by Rob Page to travel with the Wales squad to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as an injury back-up, although he was not included in the official 26-man squad.
The idea of signing a teenage midfielder from Birmingham could be an enticing prospect, especially after the transfer of the then-17-year-old Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020.
Bologna have also had an impressive track record when it comes to identifying talents from the British Isles after Ferguson’s impressive displays and the ability of Aaron Hickey before his €16.5 million move to Brentford last summer.
Bologna will also have to fend off competition from Premier League Leicester, who are reported to be in the market for midfield reinforcements with the expected departure of James Maddison at the end of the season.