Exclusive
REECE LIGHTNING
Man Utd face competition from Leicester in chase for £15m Chelsea kid Reece James, 19
LEICESTER CITY boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to battle it out with Manchester United and Everton for Chelsea’s £15million-rated teenager Reece James.
The Foxes boss regards the 19-year-old full-back as one of the top young prospects in the country after the Londoner enjoyed an outstanding season-long loan in the Championship with Wigan.
1
James made 43 appearances and played a huge part in keeping Paul Cook’s side safe with his dynamic displays at right-back, which earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season.
Rodgers believes the athletic Chelsea kid, who captained the Blues 2018 FA Cup Youth winning team, has a huge future in the game and wants him to become a key figure in his new-look Leicester team.
Now, he is ready to test Chelsea’s willingness to hold onto the youngster, with Maurizio Sarri’s future still unclear, despite Wednesday’s Europa League success.
James signed a new four-year-deal last year which ties him to the Stamford Bridge club until 2022.
But Chelsea could be tempted by an offer of around £15m for James, who has trained with them since he was six.
Rodgers wants quality cover for popular right-back Ricardo Pereira but knows the Portuguese international’s versatility means he is equally capable of playing further forward.
That would allow him to gradually introduce James to his first team squad until he is ready for the rigours of the Premier League on a regular basis.
However the Foxes face stiff competition, with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer also a fan of the Chelsea right-back.
More Chelsea news
The United boss may have an ace up his sleeve as James' sister Lauren already plays for United’s Championship winning women’s team.
Crystal Palace gaffer Roy Hodgson and Everton’s Marco Silva are also keen on the full-back, who believes he is capable of holding down a place in a top half Premier team’s starting XI.
Bournemouth and Burnley are also keeping tabs on the Chelsea starlet but Rodgers is confident he can win the chase for one of the most keenly sought after youngsters in Europe.
Topics