Chelsea star Reece James has emerged as the number one right-back transfer target for Real Madrid ahead of the summer window. Los Blancos included James, Joao Cancelo and Juan Foyth on a shortlist last season, but the England international is now eyed as the favourite among Madrid staff.
The 23-year-old has seen the majority of his 2022/23 season riddled by injuries with a fresh issue resulting in him pulling out of the England squad last Sunday. The reason for his early departure was listed as an 'ongoing issue' with a minor hamstring injury.
Understandably there was concern regarding his availability for Chelsea especially with a Champions League quarter-final meeting against Real Madrid to come in just over two weeks. However, Chelsea supporters were likely relieved upon seeing James back in training this week alongside Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling who both missed international duty.
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James will likely play a huge role in Chelsea's end-of-season fortunes which will mostly rest on their Champions League success. After bypassing Borussia Dortmund, the Blues have been handed arguably the most difficult test drawing reigning European champions Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti's men will undoubtedly want to beat Chelsea on the way to retaining their crown, but there may be also be an ulterior motive at play in their quarter-final meeting. According to a report from Spanish outlet AS, James is well-liked in Madrid and is the number one target to replace Dani Carvajal.
The report also notes Madrid are firmly aware of the task they face in attempting to lure James to Santiago Bernabeu. The Cobham graduate signed a new bumper six-year contract at the club in September 2022, but Madrid hold some confidence they can force Chelsea into selling.
Todd Boehly's transfer spending, which surpassed £500million on the final day of the January transfer window, since arriving at the club has thrown up some FFP concern. However, the Blues successfully navigated a financial loophole when agreeing the contract lengths for their major incomings.
Seven and eight-year contracts being offered to most of the recent signings allows Chelsea to spread the cost equally across the amount of years a certain player signs for. However, Chelsea still must balance their end-of-season books, and that outcome can successfully be achieved if an academy graduate is sold.
Mason Mount, Ruben-Loftus Cheek and Conor Gallagher all fit into that category and if sold it would count as pure profit on their books. This is where Madrid believe they can take advantage. Contract situations and game time may mean Chelsea would have to sell two out of the aforementioned trio, whereas because James would likely drive such a high price it would only need to be him that is sold.
However, it is extremely unlikely Chelsea will sanction an exit unless the player's own desire to seal a move to Madrid comes into play.
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