Reports linking Chelsea defender Reece James with a move to Barcelona this summer are wide of the mark.
That is according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who claims James is considered 'untouchable' at Stamford Bridge and there is nothing currently behind the recent rumours between him and Barcelona. Barca remain very much under the microscope in terms of financial fair play and therefore will have to tread carefully in the upcoming summer transfer window, despite the fact they are keen to re-sign Lionel Messi.
But those financial issues are said to have put them behind Chelsea in the race for young Brazilian striker Vitor Roque, despite reports suggesting the Camp Nou is his favoured destination. Barca are on the verge of winning La Liga for the first time since 2019, but right back is an area of weakness within their squad.
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Jules Kounde, who is primarily a central defender, has spent much of his first season at the club in that position and so it could be something they look to address in the summer. However, James will not be making the move across Europe after putting pen-to-paper on a new long term deal at Chelsea last year. Real Madrid are also said to be keen on James but the defender looks set to stay in London for the foreseeable future.
Chelsea are going to need to sell a number of first team players at the end of the season for reasons that will impact them both on and off the pitch. Fellow academy graduate Mason Mount is among those who could depart, but James is someone Chelsea are keen to build their team around as they continue their quest of building the best young team in the world.
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