Chelsea reject improved £25m offer from London rivals for teenager

Chelsea have rejected an improved offer from Crystal Palace for young full-back Reece James, The Independent claims.

The right-back, who also featured in central midfield at times on loan at Wigan last season, is wanted at Selhurst Park to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka following the 21-year-old’s move to Manchester United.

James, who is just 19 himself, cleaned up at the Latics’ end of season awards following a fantastic debut campaign in first team football, earning a WhoScored.com rating of 7.10 and subsequent place in the Championship team of the season for 2018/19.

Palace were clearly very impressed having increased their already considerable initial offer of £20m to a reported £25m, a bid which Chelsea have rejected once again.

Frank Lampard is clearly not interested in losing one of the club’s best young players, particularly given the transfer embargo at Stamford Bridge, and could yet utilise the teenager’s versatility this season.

The Blues will have Champions League duties to contend with having won the Europa League last season and will likely rotate their squad heavily in domestic cup competitions as a result.

James scored three goals and registered three assists in 45 league appearances last season, creating an impressive 74 chances.