Everton have been blocked for signing Chelsea defender Reece James on-loan after making a renewed approach to the Stamford Bridge outfit, according to Football Insider.
Toffees chiefs had explored the potential of bringing James to Goodison Park in the summer, but were turned away by the Blues after also seeing temporary offers for Fikayo Tomori knocked back following David Luiz’s move to Arsenal.
James has since made his first-team debut in South West London under Frank Lampard, who awarded the 20-year-old his first senior minutes in the EFL Cup against Grimsby Town in September before outings in the Champions League and Premier League soon followed.
Lampard also favoured the youth sensation against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last weekend, despite only handing the full-back one start in Chelsea’s last five Premier League matches.
The Blues boss is very much a fan of what James is capable of, though, as the England U21 international is set to sign a new, five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
His current terms are not due to expire until the summer of 2022, but his progress this season has seemingly inspired a greater sense of urgency to secure his long-term future.
Who would have been first-choice RB had we signed James?
Sidibe
Coleman
James
Everton chiefs had hoped to be able to lure James to Goodison Park for the remainder of the season on loan, but we have again been rejected by Chelsea, who are firm in their resistance to a temporary move.
The £13.5million-rated youngster would have competed with Djibril Sidibe and Seamus Coleman for minutes on Merseyside had we made a successful move for the London-born full-back.
James has averaged 2.1 successful tackles from 3.3 attempts per 90 minutes over his 512 minutes of Premier League football this season, per WhoScored data, along with 1.6 interceptions, 1.4 clearances, 1.4 blocks and 2.3 successful aerial duels from 4.9 battles.
He also produces 3.2 completed dribbles from 4.0 attempts per 90, plus 1.1 shots, 0.7 key balls and plays 1.2 accurate crosses from 5.1 deliveries.
In other Everton news, the club have landed a boost in the race to sign a £9m-rated defender, as he is open to listening to the Toffees’ offer.