Real Madrid target move for Chelsea star Reece James after repeated scouting missions

Man Utd fans set off flares as they protest against the Glazers

Lewandowski and Muller join Bayern training ahead of Villarreal clash

Real Madrid v Chelsea: Match in pictures

Rachael Blackmore: The female jockey breaking down barriers

Tuchel has sympathy for Gallagher missing out on facing Chelsea in cup

Arteta: Southampton defeat has left players feeling ‘really down’

Man Utd 'close in' on deal for ten Hag as new manager

Klopp hails ‘outstanding’ first-half display as one of Liverpool’s best

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has placed defender Reece James high on his list of transfer targets and will test the resolve of Chelsea ’s new owners to keep him in the summer.

James’s performances over the two legs of the Blues’ Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid were closely scrutinised by Ancelotti’s scouting department.

And Real have now watched the England right-back at least nine times this season. Ancelotti wants to reshape his squad at the Bernabeu, and he and his technical staff believe James could well be the man they are looking for on the right side of their defence.

The plan is for the La Liga champions-elect to ship out several players this summer to free up funds for a shake-up.

And, if they get the deals they hope to done, then James will be among those players they go after. Much will depend on the consortium which takes over from Roman Abramovich at Chelsea.

They will, of course, speak to boss Thomas Tuchel and then have the final say on whether James is available or not. The 22-year-old’s deal at Stamford Bridge still has three more years to run and Real know the price would be high. But sources close to the club say they believe James has many years of steep progression ahead of him and