Chelsea reject Crystal Palace’s £25m bid for Reece James with Lampard keen to blood him in first-team
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CHELSEA have rejected a £25million bid from Crystal Palace for young right-back Reece James.
New manager Frank Lampard plans to integrate the 19-year-old into the first team next season.
According to , the fee was submitted earlier this week, but the Blues immediately turned the money away.
The Eagles also submitted an alternative proposal of an 18-month loan deal, which included a 'significant upfront fee', but the Blues did not budge on their position.
Various other Premier League sides have shown interest in the defender this summer, including Newcastle, Brighton and Bournemouth.
But the full-back has reportedly received guarantees of significant first-team action at Stamford Bridge next season.
Currently recovering from ankle ligament damage though, the London-raised player hasn't had a chance to show his ability in pre-season.
The club also don't have the option of signing another full-back until next summer, when their two-window transfer ban is finally lifted.
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England U20 international James captained the club's youth team that won back-to-back U18s Premier League titles and FA Youth Cups.
At first team level, the rising star was voted Wigan Athletic's Player of the Season last campaign in the Championship, scoring three goals in the process.
The season before, he picked up the Chelsea academy's Player of the Year award.