Real Madrid: Arsenal have best chance at James Rodriguez
Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez will likely be sold this summer, and a Premier League club continues to be closely attached to the Colombian playmaker’s name.
James Rodriguez began his second stint with Real Madrid in successful fashion, creating big chances for his teammates and even putting in stellar shifts defensively to prove himself under Zinedine Zidane.
The Colombian star put in extra work for Los Blancos on the training ground in an effort to show both fans and his manager that he has what it takes to stick at the Santiago Bernabeu. James is a fan favorite who has scored wonderful goals and won trophies with Los Blancos, but, unfortunately, injuries claimed his 2019-2020 season in the end.
Real Madrid will have to sell a few solid players in order to clear space and recoup funds to chase top goal-scorers like Sadio Mane, Erling Haaland, or even Kylian Mbappe.
According to a report from Carlos Gonzalez of MARCA, Juventus, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid, while once interested in the standout No. 10, are no longer likely landing spots for James.
Per MARCA, the Premier League is now the most likely league for James to join in the summer, and Arsenal have the “biggest chance” of signing him. They report that Carlo Ancelotti, who successfully managed James at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, hasn’t shown renewed interest in the player since his move from Napoli to Everton.
Arsenal have Mesut Özil and their own interesting situation developing with either or both of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette potentially leaving the club. James is more of a passer than a scorer, but he can help recover some of the goals lost if one of those players leaves while bringing the Arsenal brand some additional name recognition.
No team was more closely linked to James in the build to the winter transfer window than Arsenal, but Real Madrid were not interested in selling any of their players. Furthermore, a James move was unreasonable, as he suffered an injury heading into the window.
Next. United and Chelsea can try, but he's not for sale. dark
He’ll be up for sale, as Zinedine Zidane has full confidence in Isco and will likely get Martin Odegaard back from loan at Real Sociedad. And it looks like Los Blancos can count on Arsenal to be one of the favorites, which is a far more ideal landing spot than, say, Atleti.