James Rodriguez being touted around the Premier League after getting the feeling he is not wanted in Madrid. June 2014 seems a long, long time ago.
Back then, James was the young footballer that every major club wanted. He scored five goals at the World Cup and one of the sweet peaches was goal of the tournament.
He turned 23 a month later and was off to Real Madrid. Life seemed pretty sweet.
James has claimed a Champions League, two Super Cups and two World Club Championships in his two and a half years at Real. He has contributed 21 goals and 24 assists in his 63 appearances. He fought his corner well in his first two seasons but has been marginalised in the current campaign.
He has made 14 appearances but only eight starts [four in La Liga] and has found himself playing a supporting role despite Gareth Bale being injured. He gets the hint.
Following Real’s latest world championship success, James told reporters he could not guarantee he would be at Real beyond the January transfer window. When asked about the comments, Real teammate Sergio Ramos remarked, “It’s not a day for personal issues. I hold him in high regard and I hope he stays. But today wasn’t a day to focus on other matters.”
James, it has been reported by The Daily Mail, has been flagged as available to several leading Premier League club, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Real bought the 25-year-old from Monaco for €80m in 2014 and he had previously been linked to a €50m move when Manchester United had Louis van Gaal in charge, and interested. That price cut be cut even further [between €35m-€40m] if Real are keen to pass him on.
There is another player out of favour at his current club is United’s Ashley Young. This is one player Premier League clubs are lining up for, and he will cost a sight less than James.
Young has featured eight times for United, under Jose Mourinho, but has only started four games. He has a mere 368 minutes on his clock in the current campaign, no goals and no assists. Not quite James stats but he is an extremely wanted man.
At least six clubs – Watford, Everton, Swansea, West Brom, Burnley and Hull – are in for Young and each will hope he leaves Old Trafford for pastures new in the January transfer window.
Perhaps this lad’s transfer dreams will come true after all…
Big ask but Ashley young, Schneiderlin & Rodriguez or Long would be a good January window. #wba
— Adam (@A_Kemo26) December 7, 2016
Perhaps not.
