Transfer Talk: Chelsea hunt James replacement after latest injury setback

Chelsea are on the hunt for a right-back in January after losing Reece James to yet another injury.

The club captain, 24, hobbled off during last Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Everton with a hamstring issue and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

That has led the Blues to eye a replacement and TEAMtalk report Borussia Monchengladbach's Nico Elvedi is a shock target.

Elvedi has made 12 league appearances so far this season for the German club, who sit 10th in the Bundesliga and have reached the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal.

And a move to Stamford Bridge could be in the offing for the full-back as he eyes a place in Switzrland's Euro 2024 squad. 

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino already has Malo Gusto to call upon on the right side of defence but James' regular absences are a huge blow for his chances of leading the club back into Europe this season.

Chelsea have picked up just one win from their last five Premier League games and are 14 points adrift of the Champions League qualification positions.

In other news

The Athletic report Manchester United could lose Raphael Varane on a free transfer next summer, with his contract due to expire a year earlier than originally publicised.

Barcelona are tracking Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, who is on loan at Getafe, according to talkSPORT.

Reports in Italy state AC Milan are in talks to sign defender Jakub Kiwior on loan from Arsenal.