According to the Daily Mail, Bristol City, Cardiff City and Swansea City are looking to sign former Derby County target Matty James on a free transfer from Leicester City.
The midfielder’s contract at Leicester expires after nine years at the club.
James has seen it all the King Power Stadium after his move there in 2012. Promotion from the Championship, survival and a Premier League title triumph.
But the former Manchester United youngster has largely been a peripheral figure after making 27 Premier League appearances in the 2014-15 campaign.
James has made just 15 top-flight appearances for the Foxes in the past six seasons.
According to the Daily Mail, Derby bid £3 million for him in 2017. A deal, however, never materialised with the Rams later signing Tom Huddlestone from Hull City instead.
James has since spent the past season out on loan at Barnsley and Coventry City.
The 29-year-old has proven he is still a decent player at Championship level, and now he has Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol City vying for his signature on a free transfer.
Current Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson signed James while in charge at Leicester. His previous working relationship could help sway the midfielder their way.
Derby face summer rebuild:
Derby, meanwhile, head into the summer with a paper-thin squad.
Martyn Waghorn, Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom are all out of contract, while Teden Mengi, Matt Clarke, George Edmundson, Lee Gregory, Beni Baningime and Patrick Roberts have all returned to their parent clubs following loan spells at Pride Park.
The defence and attacking options must top Derby’s list of priorities. Adding creativity in midfield, however, should also interest manager Wayne Rooney.
James represents a fine free transfer option while his experience is a valuable asset.
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