Manchester United transfer news: Jose Mourinho free to sign £50million James Rodriguez after AC Milan end interest
Playmaker started just 13 league games last season with midfielders like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Isco ahead of him
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MANCHESTER UNITED have a clear run at James Rodriguez after AC Milan quit the fight for his £50million signature, according to reports.
The Colombia midfielder was a £65million marquee signing when he joined the La Liga kings in 2014 after a brilliant World Cup.
But the 25-year-old has plummeted down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane and looks certain to move on.
James Rodriguez factfile
- Born James David Rodriguez Rubio in July 1991, in Cucuta, Colombia.
- He played in the Colombian second division before moving to Argentinian side Banfield in 2008 where he was nicknamed James Bond
- In July 2010 James moved to Porto for £4.5million, with a £26million buy-out clause.
- A move to Manchester United in 2013 fell through when Porto asked for more money.
- The skillful midfielder joined Monaco for £40million, and scored 10 goals in 38 games in France.
- James shot to world fame at the 2014 World Cup when he won the Golden Boot thanks to six goals including a dazzling volley against Uruguay.
- Real Madrid snapped him up for £70million after the World Cup but he has failed to blossom at the Bernabeu.
- He is married to Daniela, a volleyball player who is also sister of Colombia team-mate and Arsenal keeper David Ospina.
Rodriguez started just 13 league games last season, with Galctico midfielders like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Isco all way out ahead of him.
And the emergence of pass-master Marco Asensio is going to make the former Monaco man even more redundant.
Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with Rodriguez in the past but have baulked at the huge fees bandied around his name.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes – who handles the player’s and Jose Mourinho’s career – is expected to get him a move away from the Bernabeu.
And it looked like AC Milan were serious contenders as they dream of breaking up Juventus’ Serie A dominance.
But Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo claim the San Siro side are not interested in paying the guide price, which could help United.
Without a big European side to have to contend with in a summer transfer saga, United could lowball Madrid and hope to land the playmaker on the cheap.