Reece James Transfer Exclusive
Sources close to Reece James insist he is fully focused on working his way back at Chelsea right now, as he recovers from surgery on a recurring hamstring problem.
However, at the weekend reports suggested James, 24, will be sold along with Conor Gallagher to help the club improve their financial situation.
We can reveal Real Madrid have been tracking James over the past year as a long term replacement for Dani Carvajal.
Quite how James’s injury situation has impacted their interest remains to be seen, but a £60million price-point is lower than they could have imagined last summer, when their interest really ramped up.
That is not to say they would meet the valuation. SportsLens contacts have hinted that even at £60m Madrid would be likely to negotiate, if they are to step up interest.
James has been regarded as the perfect profile for Madrid and there has been an eye on making him their next English signing, in light of the success they have had with Jude Bellingham.
Scouts have been impressed by James because of his power and pace, but there has never been any serious advance on trying to sign him – partly as they felt the door was not open.
But sources indicated at the beginning of this season that Madrid would be likely to check in on James ahead of the summer 2024 window, and they may now have the opportunity to do that.
James was named Chelsea captain at the beginning of this season but has not played since December due to injury. Last week boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted he does not yet have a return date in mind.
The aim had been to be back in the Chelsea side by the end of the season in line with potentially putting him in with a chance of making the England squad for Euro 2024.
James has previously beed deemed “unsellable” by insiders at the club, who believed his identity and playing traits are essential to Chelsea in their new era.
SportsLens’ checks on the genuine availability of James suggest he is not being officially made available for transfer but that the situation could become more fluid if genuine interest arises.
Selling James would risk more upset within the fan base, who are already losing patience with the ownership.
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