Manchester City Transfer News: Pep Guardiola is interested in Chelsea Right-Back Reece James

Manchester City are interested in signing Chelsea’s full back Reece James this summer. City have added the player to their Wishlist and are likely to make an official bid to the Blues. James signed a new contract with the club back in January last year. However, he is still one of the lowest-paid members in Tuchel’s side.

According to The Athletic, City manager Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the 21-year-old and that his Premier League champions are interested in buying him. A report highlights how the England international is on the shortlist at City, who look set to once more invest heavily in their squad this summer.

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Reece James has been in tremendous form lately

James has become a key player at Stamford Bridge across the past two campaigns – making 84 appearances across all competitions and helping them to this season’s Champions League title. Chelsea have beaten Manchester City in the Champions League final by a 1-0 victory. Reece James impressed against the same opposition when they won 2-1 in the Premier League away fixture at Etihad Stadium three weeks earlier. It is believed that James versatility in these two matches has caught Guardiola’s attention. Reece James is capable of playing as a central defender & as a right back as well.

Reece James is Chelsea’s academy graduate & has been a regular starter for the Blues since arriving from a season-long loan at then-Championship side Wigan Athletic in 2018-19. He became a key member under former boss Frank Lampard & then impressed Thomas Tuchel on his arrival. Reece James featured in 24 games in 2019/20 season after returning from his Loan spell. The youngster became an integral part of the Chelsea backline this past season, featuring in as many as 32 league games He extended a contract with the Blues in January 2020. He has four years left at the club and it doesn’t seem like he is leaving Stamford Bridge now.

His form earned a first England call-up last October and ensured he beats off a lot of competition to be named in the squad for the ongoing UEFA EURO 2020. Reece James won his seventh cap in the group game against Scotland last week and is under consideration to face Germany in the last 16 on Tuesday night.

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Reece James would face competition at City too with Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo both able to play right-back.

Manchester City want to make a big signing this summer

City are also reportedly targeting England international Harry Kane and Jack Grealish this summer, though they are reportedly willing to wait for one to sign the other.

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.”

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