Real Madrid will target a move for Chelsea right-back Reece James this summer, according to reports.
James, 22, played against Real in the quarter-finals this month and Carlo Ancelotti is said to have been impressed after seeing the Englishman perform up close.
says Real have watched James nine times this season and have now decided he is the player they are looking for fill the right side of their defence.
Ancelotti could be minded to shake-up his squad at the end of the season despite his side’s run to the Champions League semi-finals and imminent La Liga triumph.
The likes of Luka Modric and Karim Benzema are now well into their mid-thirties and Real are in desperate need of young blood like James.
In their match against Chelsea at the Bernabeu, Dani Carvajal, 30, was selected as Real’s right-back but struggled with the pace of Chelsea’s forward line.
James could be an upgrade on Carvajal, but it seems unlikely the Blues would sell their academy product considering he is the natural successor to 32-year-old Cesar Azpilicueta.
With three years still to run on James’ current deal, it would take a huge offer to prize him away from West London.
Since breaking through at Chelsea under Frank Lampard in 2019, James has emerged as one of England’s most promising players.
In the last three seasons, he has been heavily involved in the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge, making 75 Premier League and has developed an eye for goal, scoring six times so far this term.
He has also become a regular fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, having made 10 caps since 2020.
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