Chelsea are set to open contract negotiations with right-back Reece James this summer, with new co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly reportedly desperate to keep him from the clutches of other clubs.
Both Manchester City and Real Madrid are understood to hold an interest in the 22-year-old who graduated through the Blues Cobham academy, although neither are likely to make a move this summer. Nevertheless, Chelsea and their new ownership are eager to not take any chances.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Boehly has made it his personal mission to tie James to a new contract at Stamford Bridge this summer, despite the player having three years remaining on his current deal. James is a crucial part of Thomas Tuchel's set up at Stamford Bridge and losing his services would be a significant blow.
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Last season he found the back of the net five times and provided nine assists in just 28 Premier League appearances as Chelsea finished third in the Premier League. There will undoubtedly be plenty of concern among supporters regarding the future of one of their best players but those should be eased by the player's past comments.
Two years ago, he put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with Chelsea and emphasised that it was his dream to continue his time with the Blues. It should give confidence that coming to terms on a new deal should not be too much of a struggle.
"It has been my dream to be here at Chelsea and play week in, week out and to have a contract for another five-and-a-half years is living the dream again," he told the official club website in 2020. "I have always wanted to be here and another five-and-a-half years means a lot to me and a lot to my family."
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