Real Madrid 'view Reece James as a long-term target'

The 23-year-old came through the youth system at Chelsea and enjoyed a successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic during the 2018-19 campaign before becoming a first-team regular for the Blues.

James has made 147 appearances for his Premier League side, although he was restricted to just 24 outings in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign due to injury problems.

Cesar Azpilicueta's departure over the summer opened up the captaincy role at Chelsea, and it was recently confirmed that James had been appointed the club's new skipper.

The England international has a contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2028, suggesting that a move away from the club in the near future is almost impossible.

However, according to Spanish journalist Javier Rodriguez Pascual, Real Madrid are determined to bring James to the Spanish capital at some stage.

"On the right back there will be no changes. [Dani] Carvajal is trusted and Reece James is liked for the future," Pascual told LosBlancosLive when asked about the right-back spot at the club.

Carvajal, 31, will once again start the season as the first-choice right-back, and the Spain international has another two years left to run on his contract at the club.

Lucas Vazquez will seemingly back up Carvajal once again, with Alvaro Odriozola potentially being allowed to depart before the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's La Liga opener with Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti suggested that the club's business for the summer was complete.

"I don't think so because as I have always said, I am very satisfied with this squad. I have seen something very good and they are all very plugged in. We have the illusion that we are going to fight throughout the season," he told reporters during his press conference.

Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and Joselu have arrived to boost the squad, but there remains speculation surrounding the future of Kylian Mbappe.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker faces being frozen out in the French capital this season due to his contract stand-off, and there is believed to be a chance that Real Madrid could make a big-money bid for the World Cup winner before the end of the summer transfer window.