Brighton want to sign Chelsea right-back Reece James on loan ahead of next season, according to reports in the UK.
The 19-year-old had an extremely impressive spell at Wigan last campaign, with many tipping him for first-team duties at the Blues.
However, Brighton manager Graham Potter is said to be keen on recruiting James as he seeks a replacement for Bruno who is retiring.
Manchester United are also believed to be keeping tabs on the fullback but Chelsea fans on Twitter don’t think the defender will be leaving Stamford Bridge this summer:
I will cry
— nabeel (@kippieszn) 22 May 2019
Not going to happen
— Mohammed Issaka (@mohammedessakan) 22 May 2019
Good luck getting him
— lawalgbolahan (@Optimuz433) 22 May 2019
We aint selling
— Mr. Know It All (@filosofastone) 23 May 2019
ROFL
— Kurt Bannister (@kurt_bannister) 23 May 2019
Clearly
We’re in a transfer window season
??lol— UP_chelsea? (@De_prince__) 22 May 2019
Next joke plz
— Rileymoe-_-21 (@Ri32694777) 22 May 2019
Made my day ??
— SHYAM (@shyams002) 22 May 2019
One, two, three, start: Ahahahahahahahahahaha!!
— Alin Dragu (@AlinDragu1) 22 May 2019
No chance ??
— Inko- Tarya (@Priye_IT) 22 May 2019
With Chelsea’s transfer ban remaining in place, the club will have to think long and hard before loaning any players out.
James’ development could benefit by a season of first-team football in the Premier League, but the vast majority of supporters are expecting him to stay put in order to compete with Cesar Azpilicueta for a place in the starting eleven.