Sources: Chelsea stance on accepting Reece James offer revealed
Chelsea are desperate to keep Reece James at the club amid reported interest from Real Madrid, sources have told Football Insider.
Fresh links between Los Blancos and James, 23, have emerged in recent days - but the Spanish giants have long been interested in his services.
But Chelsea don't want to lose the right-back and made him club captain earlier this summer.
James also signed a fresh six-year contract last year (2022) and is now on reported wages of £250,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.
The club hope the defender can steer clear of injury problems and become a key man under Mauricio Pochettino.
He is currently on the treatment table with a hamstring problem he sustained in the season-opening draw against Liverpool early in August.
James has the faith of club chiefs despite his persistent injury issues, which saw him play just 16 Premier League games in the 2022-23 campaign.
The England international is hoping to repay that faith with his performances upon his return - which could be within weeks.
Malo Gusto has deputised for James at right-back, starting in each of the last three Premier League games.
James graduated from the Chelsea academy and made the grade for the Blues at senior level after a loan spell with Wigan.
He made his debut under Frank Lampard and has gone on to make 148 appearances for the Londoners, notching 11 goals and 20 assists.
Pochettino's side have notched just four points from four games so far this season ahead of their next game against Bournemouth on Sunday (17 September).