According to reports from Spanish outlet El Desmarque via The Express, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is keen on moving to Manchester United. The Columbian has fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu and views Old Trafford as the ideal destination to resurrect his career.
James joined Real Madrid in 2014 in a £63m deal from AS Monaco, following an impressive World Cup campaign. However, after falling out of favour, the Columbian was shipped off to Bayern Munich for a two-year-loan in 2017.
James, who returned from Germany this summer, refused to make his stay at the Allianz permanent, opting to move back to the Bernabeu. His current contract with Los Blancos runs until 2021.
During his time in the Bundesliga, the playmaker scored 15 goals and registered 20 assists in 67 appearances.
According to reports, James’ agent Jorge Mendes wants him to join Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the Columbian is said to prefer a move to Old Trafford instead.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo revealed that the Rojinlancos were interested in the 29-year-old’s services last summer. Atletico was also ready to meet the £42m evaluation of the player, but James decided against the move.
“We tried to sign him in the summer, at the start of the summer, but then, in the end, the negotiations failed, and he stayed at Madrid,” Cerezo said.
“Players play where they want to play and James, at that moment, wanted to play at Real Madrid – that’s why he stayed.”
“Now, contracts are made when they have to be done, and if they aren’t, it’s because they don’t want them.”
If reports from the Marca are to be believed, Florentino Perez is keen on offloading several stars this January as he looks to match the Financial Fair Play rules. Los Blancos bought players worth £250m in the summer and recouped only £126m in player sales, which resulted in a £170m deficit.
Rodriguez has made only nine appearances for Los Blancos this season, having played for only 422 minutes since the start of the season. He has been linked in a player and cash deal to United along with Gareth Bale and also in a possible swap involving Paul Pogba. It remains to be seen if Los Blancos do get the Frenchman in lieu for the Columbian.
Real Madrid is currently preparing to face Belgian outfit Club Brugge in their last Champions League group stage game this Thursday. United, in the meanwhile, will come up against AZ Alkmaar at home on Friday.