Chelsea 'to reject offers for defender this summer'

Upon Mauricio Pochettino's arrival at Stamford Bridge, the England international was handed the captain's armband, one of three domestic players to be provided with leadership roles.

However, the 24-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign, being restricted to just six starts and three substitute outings in all competitions.

That has largely been down to hamstring injuries, James eventually taking the decision to undergo surgery in December to leave him sidelined in the long term.

As it stands, it is unclear whether the right-back will return to the senior ranks before the end of the season, and it has been suggested that his future at the West Londoners has been plunged into doubt.

Real Madrid linger in the background

Even when James was performing at the peak of his powers, Real Madrid were being credited with an interest in his signature, also holding an interest in other players in the same bracket.

Nevertheless, Los Blancos have failed to add to their right-back options for some time, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez sharing the duties in that position.

Both of the Spaniards are now 32 years of age, though, and although each can claim to be performing to a high level, Real will soon require younger alternatives.

A report has claimed that Chelsea may be prepared to accept an offer in the region of £60m, although Real are highly unlikely to commit to that level of spending given their other priorities.

In the aftermath of those reports emerging, it was claimed that James had already decided that he had no willingness to leave his boyhood club for the foreseeable future.

Is a sale realistic?

According to Football Insider, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are currently not contemplating the sale of James in the summer.

The report says that it would be "a major surprise" if an exit for James materialised, a previous suggestion being that the club's hierarchy are wary of a backlash.

Chelsea are facing a scenario where they need to boost their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules and parting ways with homegrown players is viewed as an effective method to do that.

Subsequent offers have not followed for the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja, theoretically leaving a player like James as vulnerable to a departure.

He still has over four years remaining on his contract, James seemingly in line to continue to challenge Malo Gusto for a spot in the starting lineup.