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James Rodriguez has expressed his desire to leave Monaco following Colombia’s World Cup campaign this summer with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs interested in the winger, according to reports this morning.
The 22-year-old only moved to France last summer, for £35 million from Porto, but the Express report that he’s struggled to fall in love with Ligue 1 despite Monaco’s success in qualifying for the Champions League. The French club have no intention to sell one of their most prized assets especially with a return to the European elite next season, but the player has apparently made his decision and would like to test himself in England or Italy.
Rodriguez, who was last week pinpointed by Rio Ferdinand as one of the most exciting young players in Brazil, will be hoping to attract potential employers with a strong showing over the next few weeks. Although without the services of Radamel Falcao, Colombia have been tipped by many to advance from Group C but any such hopes will rely on the form of Rodriguez. He’s scored five goals in 22 international appearances and spearheaded their qualification campaign.
Both Manchester United and Tottenham have long been admirers but missed out on his signature twelve months ago when he opted to move to the principality. Last term, he scored nine league goals in 34 appearances but more tellingly, he created 85 chances for team mates.
Louis van Gaal, the new United manager, is likely to be given a healthy transfer kitty once he takes the reigns following the World Cup but with the Old Trafford side not involved in European competition next year, Rodriguez may see that as a potential pitfall in moving to Manchester. Serie A is another possible destination according to reports in Portugal but with four years remaining on his contract with Monaco, it will depend on their willingness to sell and at what price.
Colombia begin their World Cup campaign against Greece on Saturday.
