Crystal Palace have had a £25m bid for Reece James ‘immediately knocked back’ by Chelsea.
James has been identified by Palace as a potential replacement for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who joined Manchester United in a deal worth £50m earlier this summer.
The 19-year-old spent this past season on loan at Wigan, with his performances earning interest from United and leading to Mark Lawrenson suggesting Liverpool should sign him.
But Frank Lampard is understood to be desperate to keep James due to his youth and versatility.
The Independent say the Blues ‘immediately knocked back’ an offer of £25m from Palace earlier this week, as well as ‘an alternative proposal of an 18-month loan with a significant upfront fee’.
Chelsea are intent on persuading James – who has been ‘given guarantees’ he will play – to sign a new contract.
But the defender, also wanted by Bournemouth, Brighton and Newcastle, is still ‘in the loan section of the dressing room’ instead of ‘being fully integrated into the main changing area with the senior members of the first team squad.’
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