Crystal Palace identify Aaron Wan-Bissaka replacement – but face wait to get deal done

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Crystal Palace are persisting in their pursuit of Chelsea defender Reece James, but they will have to be patient.

Reece James Crystal Palace

The 19-year-old has been identified as the Eagles’ top choice to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka for next season after the right-back was sold to Manchester United, according to the Sun.

However, the Stamford Bridge club are reluctant to make a decision on the defender’s future until they hear news about their two-window transfer ban.

James spent last season on loan at Wigan in the Championship before joining England Under-20s' squad at the Toulon Tournament this summer.

Palace are willing to take the teenager to Selhurst Park either on loan or in a permanent deal, but Chelsea won’t let him go until they know where they stand with their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the FIFA-imposed ban.

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Alasdair Mackenzie

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.