Real Madrid eye 2023 move for Reece James amid Chelsea contract uncertainty
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 19 Jul 2022 15:45 BST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are reportedly targeting a move for Chelsea full-back Reece James in 2023 as they look to build upon their Champions League success.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were victorious in last season's edition of Europe's elite club competition, and have added both Aurelien Tchouameni for €100 million and Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer to bolster their squad.
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Next on the agenda is reportedly Chelsea's flying Englishman James, who is wanted as a long-term Dani Carvajal replacement.
The Spaniard is now 30 years old, and has suffered several injury issues over the past few years, which has seen Lucas Vazquez forced to fill in at right-back on many occasions.
In an attempt to fix that problem, Real Madrid have had their eyes set on James for a while and are planning on mounting a bid for his signature next year.
According to Goal Spain, Real Madrid are monitoring James' contract situation at Chelsea and will look to target him in either the January and summer transfer windows in 2023.
At the moment, James' current deal at Stamford Bridge doesn't expire until 2025, but extending this is seen as a priority by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea's new owners.
The Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella has reported that the new powers be at Chelsea are keen to reward the new stars of the Blues' first-team, namely Mason Mount and James, with bumper new contracts.
The report also details that Manchester City, along with Real Madrid, are also keeping a close eye on James' situation at Chelsea.
A decision to make
The new owners will reportedly wait until the summer window slams shut before making any advances on a new deal for either Mount or James, but they are in line for lucrative new deals.
Boehly and co are said to be keen to readjust the Chelsea wage bill in order to fairly pay the stars of the team, and see overpaid players offloaded.
Chelsea want to secure James' future, but he does have interest from elsewhere and a decision will need to be made whether he wishes to stay at the club or move elsewhere.
In 2021, his father Nigel revealed that being captain of Chelsea is a goal that James wishes to achieve, suggesting that Real Madrid's advances may be in vain.
