Chelsea reject loan bid, as well as £25m offer from Crystal Palace for Reece James — report

According to the Independent, Chelsea have recently rejected not one, but two approaches from Crystal Palace for young right-back Reece James, including one carrying a £25m transfer fee.

James has been "monitored" by Palace, who are still looking for a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka after his £50m move to Manchester United earlier this summer. They initially tried to pick up the 19-year-old on a 18-month loan deal carrying a "significant loan fee", but that offer was also rebuffed by Chelsea.

Although James is likely a few weeks if not months away from returning to the pitch after undergoing ankle surgery last month, interest in him remains high. Alongside Palace, clubs such as Brighton, Bournemouth and Newcastle United have apparently been monitoring the situation.

But Chelsea are hoping that James signs a new long-term deal with the club, and he was already given playing time guarantees by Frank Lampard as well.