Brighton and Crystal Palace were watching Chelsea loanee Reece James at Wigan on Saturday, according to the Sun’s transfer expert Alan Nixon.
He said that Chelsea can expect ‘major bids’ for a player who is yet to make his debut for the senior team.
Nixon made the claim on his personal Twitter page on Monday morning.
BRIGHTON. PALACE. Had their top men watching Reece James at WIGAN. CHELSEA can expect a major bids for a lad yet to start for them.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) February 4, 2019
OPINION
Chelsea are building a reputation for developing young players and selling them on for a big profit and James could be the latest to come off the production line. He hasn’t made his debut for Chelsea’s first-team but he has impressed on loan at Wigan, where the 19-year-old right-back has made 30 appearances across all competitions this season. Brighton were linked with a £10million move for James before Christmas and it sounds like they’re still intent on bringing the England Under-20 international to the south coast. They’re joined by Crystal Palace who have also been scouting the youngster. We wouldn’t be surprised if more clubs join them in a battle for a player who has a big future predicted for him. There’s every chance that Chelsea will live to regret selling some of their younger stars if they go on to fulfil their potential. At the moment, though, there’s no obvious route through to the first-team for any of them.