OMM Newsroom
Chelsea defender Reece James has undergone knee surgery. The club announced the procedure on its official website the previous day.
According to TEAMtalk, following James’ latest injury, the London club plan to strengthen the right side of their defence. Chelsea intend to sign Benfica’s 18-year-old right-back Daniel Banjaqui in the January transfer window.
A product of Benfica’s academy, Banjaqui has a £38 million release clause in his contract. He has been featuring more regularly for the club’s first team this season.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring the young defender’s situation, according to the report. Chelsea view a potential move for Banjaqui as an investment in the future, with James’ recurring injuries also a factor in the decision.
The Chelsea captain made 29 Premier League appearances last season. It was the first time since the 2021-22 campaign that he had featured in more than 20 league matches in a single season.
