James Rodriguez has struggled to make an impact for Real Madrid this season and there are high chances that the Colombian could leave the club in the summer.
The Colombian enjoyed a phenomenal campaign in his first season at Madrid following his £80 million move from Monaco after the 2014 World Cup, where he scored 17 goals and further assisted in 18, but hasn’t found the necessary confidence this season to reach his best level.
He wasn’t a favourite of former Madrid manager Rafael Benitez while Zinedine Zidane doesn’t seem to be his biggest fan either. The Real Madrid boss likes him as a player but finds hard to incorporate him in his 4-3-3 system.
Rodriguez has a contract till 2020, but he is far from being happy with his present situation. Recently Spanish publication AS claimed that he wants a face to face meeting with Madrid hierarchy after the end of the season to discuss his future.
Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, has full confidence in the player and has made it clear that under no circumstances the Colombian will be sold.
The 24-year-old would fetch a good price if sold and help Madrid fund their planned purchases next season, provided the transfer ban imposed them is suspended permanently.
A host of heavyweight Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing him and could make a formal bid for him this summer.
However, according to ESPN, Rodriguez would prefer a move to Manchester United, should he decide to leave the club. United are expected to remain busy in the summer transfer window and a formal move for James Rodriguez cannot be completely ruled out.
Chelsea are also interested in Rodriguez and a potential swap deal involving Eden Hazard been mooted, although the Blues are highly likely to reject such proposals.
Miguel Delaney notes that United’s transfer situation is complicated by the ongoing uncertainty over the new manager. Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is likely to replace Louis van Gaal after Saturday’s FA Cup final, but no deal has been agreed yet with the Portuguese.
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