James Rodriguez has turned things around since joining Bayern Munich on loan from Real Madrid and is attracting attention from Europe’s top clubs. The Colombian was loaned out to Bayern before the 2017/18 campaign got underway, after his playing time at Real was limited to cup matches and fixtures against weaker La Liga opposition.
Spanish outlet Don Balon claim that Liverpool are among those interested in signing the Colombian international on a permanent deal. Liverpool have so far failed to make any real headway in signing a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who left the club earlier this month.
The Reds have been boosted with £142m cash on the hip after selling the Brazilian playmaker to Barcelona, with Jurgen Klopp eyeing a top-class midfielder to fill the hole. We have already spent £75m on Virgil Van Dijk and Rodriguez is believed to be the next player on our wish-list.
The report adds that Klopp might be looking to sign the former Monaco midfielder. However, with Rodriguez currently midway through his first season at Bayern Munich, having agreed to a two-year loan switch to the Bundesliga club last summer, Liverpool’s hopes of landing the Colombian playmaker could take a hit if the German champions refuse to send him back early to the Spanish capital.
The 26-year-old has shone for Bayern Munich this term, playing 20 times and scoring few goals. The Bundesliga champions have Rodriguez on loan until 2019, so we’d have to get them to agree to cut the deal short through payment, then negotiate a separate deal with Real.
The Reds are said to be targeting the midfielder as a summer signing – allowing time for agreements with both clubs to be met. The report further says that Real are keen to retrieve most of the £70m they paid Monaco for Rodriguez’s services after his exploits in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he impressed everyone in the summer tournament.
Speaking this week about his long-term future at Real Madrid, the South American seemed to suggest he would not return to play under Zinedine Zidane.
“The figures are there to be interpreted and every coach has their preferred players which I understand,” Rodriguez was quoted by Metro.
”I don’t know whether I can say I had closeness with Zidane but each coach has his preferences. I can’t say whether he was unjust with me but there is no point thinking any more about that.
“As a player he was my idol. He was a great player, with a lot of quality and I admire those that play good football.
“It was sad the way I left as Real was a dream for me but football is like that, where one day you are where you want to be and the next…”
However, we could be left frustrated if Bayern refuse to terminate Rodriguez’s loan agreement early.
