3 clubs that might target James Rodriguez this summer

Colombian superstar James Rodriguez is on a two-year loan deal at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid. After a brilliant first season, the Colombian has somewhat faded out this season under new coach Niko Kovac. The Croatian has been unable to get the best out of the 27-year-old, and it unlikely that Bayern will activate the clause in his contract which will sign him permanently for the Bavarians.

The player has publicly stated that he loves the city, and he is a huge favourite of CEO Karl Heinz Rummenigge, but Bayern are unlikely to sign the player since he considered surplus to requirements by the coach.

Kovac focuses his style on wing play and James Rodriguez is largely ineffective in the particular brand of football that Bayern play right now. If he is not signed by Bayern, he'll return to Madrid and will be put on the transfer market again, as he is not a part Zinedine Zidane's plans.

Here are 3 clubs that might sign him this summer :

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#3 Arsenal

James Rodriguez will fit Unai Emery's style of play

Arsenal is looking to sign attackers this transfer window. They have had problems in the final third this season due to lack of creativity in attack caused as a result of a slump in form of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. With the presence of goal-hungry strikers in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, James would complement the Arsenal forward line pretty well.

Despite lack of game time at Bayern this season, his 7 goals and 6 assists result in an average involvement in a goal every 127 minutes which is pretty good for a creative midfielder. A player who can do wonders with the dead ball, James Rodriguez's style of play will suit the Premier League very well. He can also adjust better under Spanish speaking Unai Emery whose gameplay heavily relies on a playmaker from the midfield.

With the exit of Aaron Ramsey to Juventus, Emery is in need of midfielders this summer, and James Rodriguez is the perfect fit for his Arsenal side.

#2 Atletico Madrid

Atletico would require a playmaker along with a striker to compensate the exit of Griezmann

Diego Simeone has his work cut out for him this summer, given the mass exodus which is happening from the Los Rojiblancos this summer. One of the biggest problems that Atletico Madrid have faced this season is the lack of goal creation from their wingers and misfiring strikers.

Antoine Griezmann has single-handedly led the Atletico frontline this time and his exit is a huge blow for Diego Simeone. To compensate for the loss of Griezmann who was a creator of goals too, Atletico need a playmaker too, and James Rodriguez will be a brilliant signing for them.

Since Atletico rely on counters, he will be largely effective given his vision and effective passing abilities. He can create deadly long balls which can pierce through the opposition backline and cause a lot of trouble. A brilliant corner taker and freekick specialist, James Rodriguez has all of what it takes to bring the spark in the Atletico attack back.

He also has a house in Madrid, so settling in the city is not at all an issue, which makes it all the more attractive for him to make a move. However, Real Madrid boss Florentino Perez might not be interested to sell him to derby rivals and this will certainly cause complications.

#1 Juventus

Ronaldo knows James from his Real Madrid days

Juventus are facing a managerial change this summer as Max Allegri will be leaving at the end of the season. Whoever comes in will look to reshuffle the present midfield. Aaron Ramsey has already signed from Arsenal on a free transfer earlier this year. A playmaker is missing in the Old Lady squad and this might make James Rodriguez a perfect fit in Turin.

A client of Jorge Mendes, it makes things easier as Joao Cancelo and Cristiano Ronaldo share the same agent which implies a good relationship is in place with the Juventus board and the Portuguese agent. Real Madrid and Juventus are also on good terms which makes things at the boardroom level negotiations better.

Cristiano Ronaldo has played with James at Real Madrid and the duo know how to complement each other on the field well, which makes all the more sense why James Rodriguez should be pursued by Juventus this summer.