These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Reece James set for new Chelsea contract?

The Sun is claiming that Blues right-back Reece James is set to be rewarded for establishing himself in the Chelsea side with a new long-term contract.

The 20-year-old defender enjoyed a productive loan spell at Wigan in the Championship last season and has since become a key member of Frank Lampard’s Chelsea squad, making 14 appearances in all competitions and netting two goals.

The report in the Sun says: ‘Chelsea are reportedly preparing a bumper new contract for rising star Reece James.

‘The right-back has been one of many young players who has impressed Frank Lampard and he is set to be handed a bumper new contract to extend his existing deal that runs to 2022.’

Inter chasing Alonso loan

Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso could be set for a reunion with Antonio Conte, according to reports in Italy

The Spanish left-back, who won the Premier League title with the Blues under Conte in 2017, is reportedly being lined up as January acquisition by Inter Milan, following an injury to Kwadwo Asamoah.

Calciomercato and Gazatte Dello Sport both report: ‘Conte's side sit top of the league and are ready to reinforce their squad to improve their title chances.

‘Top of that list is Alonso, who wants to return to Serie A as he reportedly misses Italy where he used to play for Fiorentina before moving to Stamford Bridge.

‘Conte brought Alonso to Chelsea and wants to sign the defender on loan with no obligation to buy. But the Blues want to sell him outright if possible and replace him with Leicester's Ben Chilwell.’

City to battle Blues for Ake

Sky Sports News reports that Chelsea could move to bring Nathan Ake back to Stamford Bridge from Bournemouth, but face competition from Manchester City.

The Dutch defender made his professional debut with the Blues in 2012 and spent time on loan at Reading, Watford and Bournemouth before joining the Cherries permanently in 2017.

The Blues are rumoured to be interested in adding Ake to the squad in January but it seems that Pep Guardiola is also keen to take the Dutch international to the Etihad Stadium.

‘Manchester City are interested in a January deal for Bournemouth's Nathan Ake, despite a contract clause seemingly putting Chelsea in pole position to bring him back to Stamford Bridge,’ the report on the Sky Sports News website states.

‘The west London club inserted a £40m buy-back clause into the centre-back's £20m deal to Bournemouth in 2017, and they are now understood to want Ake back after their FIFA transfer ban was lifted.

‘But City are also understood to want to sign Ake if they can next month, having failed to replace Vincent Kompany in the summer and suffered as a result of the long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte.’