Manchester United have already made two blockbuster signings this summer in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – but there could be at least one more on the way, with Spanish media claiming that the Red Devils are in pole position to sign Real Madrid midfielder, James Rodriguez.
Madrid-based newspaper, Marca, claim that the Old Trafford club, who were heavily linked with a move for Rodriguez back in his Porto days, are the prime candidates for the Colombian’s signature.
They say that the international captain is aware that under Real boss Zinedine Zidane, he will have a bit-part role; and the fact that he was not involved in his side’s Champions League final victory over bitter rivals Atletico Madrid has made it clear to him that leaving the Santiago Bernabeu would be the best option for regular first-team football.
After talks with Florentino Perez, the club’s president, James has been told that he can get back in Real’s starting eleven if he improves his attitude – but he will be expected to contribute much more than his 10 goals and 10 assists in 2015-16, despite the fact that these came in just 36 appearances.
Rodriguez, who has already played for Porto and Monaco as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid, would provide great competition to Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard should he come to Old Trafford – and Marca’s report suggests that he would be more than happy to make the switch, should a Premier League club match Real’s £67 million asking price.
