MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly interested in an audacious move for Chelsea right-back Reece James.
The Athletic claim that the Blues are unwilling to sell the England star, but City are thought to be keen on brokering a deal regardless.
The report adds that Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of James and has added the defender to his shortlist of players this summer.
The Spaniard was said to be particularly impressed by the 21-year-old’s peformance in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over City in the Champions League final.
James’ display at the Etihad in which the Blues won 2-1 against the same opposition three weeks earlier also caught Guardiola’s eye.
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The England international’s versatility in that he can play in central defence as well as midfield is also a boost to the Premier League champions.
City remain keen on signing James despite the stiff competition in his favoured right-back spot including Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo.
The Cityzens believe there may be an opportunity to snare the former Wigan loanee amid Chelsea’s move for Inter Milan star Achraf Hakimi.
Paris Saint-Germain seem to have beaten the Blues to the punch for the right wing-back but negotiations have raised doubts over James being a first-team regular.
The Three Lions ace still has four years left on his contract and Chelsea are understandably against selling their academy graduate.
And City’s moves for James’ international teammates Harry Kane and Jack Grealish will make any transfer unlikely this summer.
SunSport revealed this week that Grealish’s camp believe they have got the green light for him to leave Aston Villa in a £100m move to the Sky Blues.
However, Kane is blocking out speculation surrounding his own future at Tottenham to focus on England ahead of their clash with Germany.
