Manchester United could yet sign James Rodriguez and the Red Devils are ready to make a move for the £70m-rated Colombian star if he decides to leave Real Madrid (Rodriguez has made it clear he won’t).
Rodriguez joined Madrid from Monaco in a £56m deal back in 2014 after producing a stunning performance in the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil.
He established himself as one of the key players for Los Blancos under Carlo Ancelotti but had a tough 2015-16 season, where he struggled to cement a regular starting place under Zinedine Zidane, with the attacker being left out for crucial games including the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.
Although Rodriguez has made it clear that would fight for his places at Madrid but the Colombian attacking forward could lose his place in the starting line-up to Marco Asensio, who is tipped to play a more prominent role in the upcoming season.
He could consider a move to the Premier League and Manchester United would be ‘ready to pounce’ if the former Porto forward decides to leave the European champions.
Jose Mourinho has hinted yesterday that he is close to wrapping up a deal for Paul Pogba and won’t be surprised if United manage to pull off a stunning deal for Rodriguez as well.
Galatasaray to sign Lucas Leiva
Turkish club Galatasaray have confirmed they’ve agreed a deal with Liverpool over the signing of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva.
Lucas faces a stiff competition for starting places at Liverpool for the 2016-17 season with Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Marko Grujic all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Galatasaray sporting director Leven Nazifoglu revealed a deal is in place for the midfielder to join on Monday but it needs the approval of the Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
“We have agreed terms with Liverpool on all fronts, there is some concern regarding Lucas’ injury but all that remains now is for Klopp to make his decision,” Nazifoglu said.
“If it goes ahead it will happen on Monday otherwise, we will have to look elsewhere.”
Lucas has been at Anfield for nine years and made 313 appearances. It remains to be to seen whether Klopp sanctions a move for the 29-year-old, as the Reds would do so, only when they’ve signed a replacement.
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