Man City target Chelsea star Reece James
Manchester City have reportedly added Chelsea star Reece James to their summer wishlist.
Pep Guardiola is a ‘huge admirer’ of the 21-year-old and the Premier League champions are keen to add him to their squad, according to The Athletic.
The Chelsea academy graduate – who starred in a loan season with Wigan – has firmly established himself as a key member of the Blues squad under Thomas Tuchel, and Frank Lampard before him.
He’s made 84 appearances for Chelsea in the last two seasons, with his last among his very best as he helped his side to Champions League glory over City.
Gossip: Arsenal in Sanches ‘loop’; Martial snub for Sancho
And that display, along with others against Pep Guardiola’s side last term, have caught the eye of the Spanish boss.
He earned a first England call-up in October and fought off plenty of competition at right-back to be named in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad.
City are also reportedly targeting England teammates Harry Kane and Jack Grealish this summer, though they are reportedly willing to wait for one to sign the other.
James still has four years left on his Chelsea contract having signed a new deal in January of last year.
But he is still one of the lowest-paid members in Tuchel’s side and the Blues may need to offer him another new contract to ward off the advances of City. They’re surely not willing to sell.
But The Athletic claim Chelsea’s interest in Achraf Hakimi could mean James is up for grabs.
Tuchel is thought to be keen on the Inter Milan right wing-back, who is valued at around £60million, though they are in danger of missing out to PSG.
Despite interest in James, Grealish appears to be the priority, and Peter Crouch claims he would be the perfect fit at the Etihad.
Crouch said: “I’ve heard the rumours, Jack is a top player, I just absolutely love watching him and I think he’d be a perfect fit for Man City.
“He’s someone who enjoys taking the ball and with his confidence, I just think he’d slip straight in there,” Crouch said. “If that is the case and he goes there, I think it’s a great signing for City.
“At Villa he’s the main man and he gets more freedom now than he would at Man City, and he will have to do his defensive duties, but I don’t think he shrinks them at all.
“I think he’s a complete player, and Pep Guardiola will understand he’s a top player. Yes he’s a free spirit and he’s going to do things at times where he might lose the ball, but that’s what you get from top players, they want to try different things.”
Click Here: CONVERSE CHUCK 70 SHOES