Real Madrid has shifted its focus from Reece James to another Chelsea star, with reports suggesting the Spanish club is now eyeing a £130,000-per-week player from Stamford Bridge. This marks a new chapter in the long-standing transfer connections between Chelsea and Real Madrid, which has seen a number of high-profile players make the move between the two clubs.
Over the years, Chelsea and Real Madrid have exchanged several players, including notable names like Eden Hazard, Antonio Rudiger, and Thibaut Courtois, all of whom moved from Chelsea to Madrid. While Courtois has enjoyed success as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Hazard’s time in Madrid was marred by injuries. Earlier transfers also saw players like Ricardo Carvalho and Arjen Robben join Madrid, while Chelsea benefited from players such as Mateo Kovacic and Alvaro Morata.
Real Madrid’s interest in Reece James was prominent about a year ago, with the Spanish giants reportedly eyeing him as a future replacement for Dani Carvajal. However, James’ injury troubles, including an extended absence due to surgery, led to the failure of that move. Since then, Real Madrid’s attention has shifted, with the club now linked with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who could be available as a free agent at the end of the season.
While Chelsea may have been relieved to escape Real Madrid’s pursuit of James, their concerns are far from over, as the Spanish club has now turned its attention to another key player, Cole Palmer. Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City just over a year ago, has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout talents.
His contributions in Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham, which included two goals, have taken his tally for the season to 11 goals and six assists. In total, Palmer has been directly involved in 50 goals in just 47 appearances for Chelsea, solidifying his reputation as a top talent.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has been full of praise for Palmer, calling him a “special” player and one of the best in Europe. Carragher believes Palmer has the potential to become a significant figure at Chelsea, with the midfielder’s potential extending beyond just the Premier League to the global stage.
Real Madrid’s interest in Palmer highlights his growing stature, with club president Florentino Perez reportedly valuing him not only for his footballing ability but also for his potential to become a global icon. However, a transfer in the near future seems unlikely for several reasons.
Firstly, Palmer and Jude Bellingham, who has also been an outstanding performer at Madrid, could find themselves in competition for similar roles within the England squad. Secondly, Palmer is tied to Chelsea with a long-term contract that has nine years left, making a move highly expensive for Madrid.
Additionally, Real Madrid’s current squad already boasts a wealth of young talent, including Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr., and Bellingham. Adding Palmer might stretch both the club’s financial and tactical resources. While Real Madrid’s interest in Palmer demonstrates his rising profile, a move to Madrid seems like a distant possibility at the moment, and Chelsea will need to stay alert to potential interest from Europe’s top clubs.
