Wolves will be keeping their fingers crossed that Jordan James can play a significant role in their push for a Premier League return this season.

The Wales international made the move from Stade Rennais over the summer, after he enjoyed a spectacular campaign on loan at Leicester last season.

He has shown glimpses of his quality under Cesar Peixoto so far, but he is not yet a guaranteed starter, while Wolves themselves have not had the best start to the season upon their Championship return.

And when it comes to James' future at the club, an uptick in form for both will be crucial in determining where he ends up next summer.

Wolves have the option to sign Jordan James permanently

Over the summer, the Old Gold paid a loan fee of around £1.3 million to secure James' services for the season, with an option to buy in place ahead of next summer to make the deal permanent for around £8.6m.

Should Wolves trigger this, the package in total will sit at just under £10m, a fee that could well be seen as a bargain should he play his part in a promotion campaign.

However, James and Wolves have not had the best start to the season, while the midfielder has had to work hard to earn the trust of Peixoto.

So far, James had started just twice in the league, with these coming against Bolton and Watford in recent weeks, while Peixoto persisted with the pairing of Andre and Marshall Munetsi until that point.

And if he is to begin making a name for himself at the club and potentially join permanently, he is going to need the minutes that his quality in recent years suggests he deserves.

James' Leicester and Birmingham performances highlight his potential

James is no stranger to the Championship, having earned his move to Rennes through an impressive campaign with Wolves' Midlands rivals Birmingham.

The midfielder progressed through the academy at St Andrew's, before he made his senior debut at just 17, making 105 appearances for the Blues before his departure in 2024.

And after a far from ideal season in France, he returned to England with Leicester last season, scoring 11 goals and laying on four Championship assists in a remarkable individual campaign despite the Foxes' relegation.

After being named the Young Player of the Season in 2025/26, he earned himself another move to a promotion candidate, this time at Molineux.

So far, he has scored twice in Old Gold, but is yet to become one of the first names on the teamsheet as expected over the summer.

Wolves' situation must change for James' future to be decided

When handed the chance, James has proven that he does possess fantastic ability at this level, but this has not exactly been regular.

As mentioned, he has started just twice, and this has came during a period in which Wolves have not exactly started well, with points dropped at home against Blackburn, Bolton and Portsmouth, while even strugglers Watford gave the Old Gold a tough afternoon despite losing 1-0.

The Old Gold do sit fourth, and are well within the promotion picture, but the football has hardly been inspiring.

That does take any blame away from James for the time being, but ultimately, he needs to be on the pitch, especially with the midfielder being in need of a permanent home moving forward.

Peixoto does not appear all too sure on James just yet, but for Wolves to make the deal permanent next summer, they will need to see much more than what they have so far.