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Red Bull Leipzig and Manchester United have shown an interest in Chelsea 16-year-old Reece James.
James, a Chelsea youth product who has been at the club since the age of six, has trained with the first team at Cobham this season.
The youngster, who can play in defence and midfield, started against Oxford United in the EFL Trophy at Stamford Bridge last week and turns 17 in December with clubs circling. They include RB Leipzig, who are currently joint top of the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich after 10 games.
Ralf Rangnick, Red Bull’s football guru and RB Leipzig chief, is among those who has watched the youngster while visiting London in recent weeks.
RB Leipzig made their mark in England in the summer when they signed Nottingham Forest starlet and Scotland international Oliver Burke for £13million.
After the success of Burke, they are looking at other young British talents. They could face competition from United, however, who are also following the development of James.
The teenage prospect signed academy forms with the Blues back in June as part of a new intake of nine youngsters at Cobham.
The opportunity to leave Chelsea would be tempting considering the general lack of first-team opportunities for Chelsea’s youth players.
As of September 1, Chelsea had 38 players out on loan, with the majority of them from the youth set-up.
