Reece James is on the point of signing a new Chelsea contract for at least £250,000 a week.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chelsea’s contract discussions with important defender James have concluded successfully, with the 22-year-old poised to sign today ahead of formal confirmation from the club.
The agreement is believed to be a five-year contract, making James the highest-paid defender in Chelsea history.
Following their Chelsea takeover, the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium prioritised securing the long-term futures of their most key players.
James was among the players on their list, and the magnitude of his new deal reflects his importance.
It will also make him one of Europe’s highest-paid defenders.
Last month, Sportsmail claimed that Boehly planned to implement a US-style contract regime for players under the age of 25, tying them to terms for up to seven years.
James has started all five of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season in which he has been available, missing just the 2-1 defeat at Southampton on Tuesday.
He scored in the 2-2 home draw with Tottenham and assisted in the 2-1 home win against Leicester.
James played a key role in Chelsea’s successful Champions League campaign in 2020-21, and he has earned 13 England caps since making his debut in a 3-0 friendly win over Wales in October 2020.
The defender is set to be included to Gareth Southgate’s World Cup team in Qatar this winter.
He secured a contract extension until 2025 not long after turning 20 in 2020, and his current term extends his devotion to a club he joined when he was six years old.
