Real Madrid have made Chelsea right-back Reece James a priority signing as the club look to secure a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal.
The Spanish side are understood to have held a long-standing interest in James and are targeting a deal for the Chelsea captain in the coming transfer windows.
Carvajal has spent a decade in the first-team at Real Madrid and has made 379 appearances for the club in all competitions, but Los Blancos are keen to finalise a succession plan to the 31-year-old and AS are reporting that a move for James has been made a ‘priority movement’.
James has cemented a reputation as one of Europe’s best right-backs since progressing from the Chelsea academy, but has struggled with fitness issues across the last two seasons.
The 23-year-old – who was named as Chelsea’s new captain by Mauricio Pochettino during the summer – has not featured since picking up a hamstring complaint on the opening weekend.
Real Madrid view James as their leading option to replace Carvajal and could look to unite the defender with England teammate Jude Bellingham at the Bernabeu.
The latter has made a stunning start to his career with the Spaniards, having scored five goals in his first four La Liga appearances since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
