Chelsea have been put on high-alert after Real Madrid and Colombian superstar, James Rodriguez, claimed in his interview with Spanish radio Station Cope, post the FIFA Club World Cup final, that he might no longer be a Real Madrid player come the end of the upcoming transfer window.
The player, who has been unable to tie down a starting spot for himself in the Real Madrid side, was quoted as saying, “I can’t guarantee that I’ll stay at Real Madrid after the winter window. I have offers and 7 days to think.”
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Speculation has been rife about the playmaker’s future at Real Madrid as he has been hardly involved in the current season under Zinedine Zidane and a host of clubs, including West London side, Chelsea, are believed to be in the race to sign him.
English tabloid The Mirror recently reported that Chelsea were willing to fork out £75 million to bring the player to Stamford Bridge and given Rodriguez’s recent admission, a move to London looks increasingly likely.
Chelsea are, themselves, believed to be in talks with Chinese club Shanghai SIPG, who are keen to acquire the services of outcast Oscar and are believed to have tabled a bid in the region of £60 million. This puts the club in an ideal situation, wherein they will have to infuse only a further £15 million to acquire the services of a world-class player, should Oscar’s move to Shanghai SIPG materialise.
Rodriguez arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from AS Monaco in a move believed to be in the region of €80 million. However, after a stellar 2 years at the club, the player has been reduced to a bit-part role in the current season. He has started just 7 games thus far this season, 6 from the bench, which is by no measure the right amount of game time for a player of his calibre.
Many pundits have expressed their concern with regards to his game time and believe a move, regardless of the destination, is key for the Colombian to kickstart a stagnating career. Chelsea, meanwhile, could do with the quality of James Rodriguez, who is renowned for his attacking prowess and could become the lynchpin of their attack should he make the move to West London.
Fax machines permitting, this is a transfer that is definitely on the cards.
(Video credits: Mr. Bundesteam)
