JAMES’ BLUES CONTRACT STANDSTILL PUTS CITY ON RED ALERT
NEW Chelsea owner Todd Boehly faces the delicate task of resolving doubts over Reece James’s future, with the club still to approach the England star about extending his contact.
The news will alert Manchester City and Real Madrid, who both view James as a long-term transfer target. Since signing his current deal in January 2020, the 22-year-old has become one of the most important players in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, but his progress is yet to be rewarded. James has three years left to run on his £70,000-a-week contract meaning Chelsea have felt in no rush to offer him a new deal. And it remains to be seen whether Boehly’s new regime view securing his future as a priority. News of the impasse will interest City, who see the right back as their ideal long-term replacement for Kyle Walker. Sources have also confirmed to
Sportsmail that Madrid are monitoring the situation very closely. Chelsea’s interest in Paris SaintGermain’s Achraf Hakimi has offered James’s suitors further hope that he could be obtainable if his contract situation is not resolved.