‘Perfect’ – Liverpool urged to make stunning transfer bid for Chelsea star

Liverpool have been urged to pursue the audacious signing of Chelsea captain Reece James to upgrade Arne Slot’s defensive options.

Injury problems have plagued James in recent campaigns, but he has looked back to his very best this season under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

The 26-year-old has missed just five games due to injuries this season, while playing a vital role both at right-back and further forward in central midfield.

But despite those performances, there remains an inkling of doubt over James’ long-term future at Stamford Bridge, with his contract set to run out in the summer of 2028.

And former Blues full-back Glen Johnson believes Arne Slot’s side should try to capitalise on that uncertainty and lure James to Anfield in the summer.

‘To be honest, given how versatile Reece James is, I think he’d suit anyone,’ Johnson told Boyle Sports.

‘Because in terms of his ability, he can do a job all over the pitch. He’s a fantastic player, but to have that versatility in your squad is invaluable. 

‘He could fill in at left-back, play centre-half in a back three, or be a right wing-back or a midfielder. I think he would genuinely suit any club, especially one going through a few changes or dealing with injuries.

‘Players like him are hard to find because I don’t think he would go to a club expecting to play 50 games at right-back, for example. It’s not going to happen.

‘So, to have a player who can adapt and do whatever the team and squad need, I think a lot of teams would want that option.’

Johnson continued: ‘I’d love to see him at Liverpool, that’s for sure. I think he would suit Liverpool, probably more so than Arsenal.

‘And I think Manchester United would probably want him as well. But Liverpool could be a very good fit, to be honest. 

‘We spoke about the right-back option with Jeremie Frimpong and others, but as I said, Reece isn’t going to go to a club and play a solid 40 games in one position. He just isn’t. 

‘So, to have him as an option, perhaps in midfield, especially since Liverpool are still in all competitions and will have so many games, injuries, and suspensions, I think he’d be perfect.

‘Yes, I’d love to see him land at Liverpool.’

And elsewhere, former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy warned that James may well look to run down his contract and leave on a free if he feels his ambitions aren’t being matched by the club.

‘Watch this space,’ Cundy said on talkSPORT. ‘They are going to have to do something about that. We need to keep Reece James. Let me tell you now, we need to get Reece around a table and sign a new contract.

‘A career is not long in football and players do want to see where they are going if I sign my next three or four years away, what does that landscape look like for me individually and collectively,’ Cundy explained.

‘And if Reece decides that this model, this project is not quite for me now, and he decides he wants to leave, unfortunately, the club may well have to be forced to sell him in the summer.

‘They won’t let what happened at Liverpool with Trent or at Chelsea with Rudiger happen again.

‘You are talking about £60m and they are not going to allow that kind of money to leave on a free.’

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