Liverpool are interested in signing Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez in a permanent deal this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The Reds are among a number of clubs tracking the Colombian star and have entered the talks with his agent as they search for Philippe Coutinho’s replacement, according to Don Balon (h/t Liverpool Echo).

However, with Rodriguez currently midway through his first season at Bayern Munich, having agreed on a two-year loan switch to the Bundesliga club last summer, Liverpool could be prevented in their hopes of landing the Colombian playmaker if the German champions refuse to send him back early to the Spanish capital.

The 26-year-old has shone for Bayern Munich on loan from Real Madrid this term, playing 20 times and scoring few goals.

The report further says that Real are keen to retrieve most of the £70million they paid Monaco for Rodriguez’s services after his exploits in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he mesmerised everyone in the summer tournament.

The Germans have Rodriguez on loan until 2020, so we’d have to get them to agree to cut the deal short, through payment, then negotiate a separate deal with Real.

Given that Jurgen Klopp and co. are apparently looking for a summer signing to replace the departed Coutinho, they still have around six months to try and negotiate a deal with both Rodriguez’s parent club and his temporary employers.

We are looking to bolster our squad after receiving £142m from Barcelona for Coutinho. We have already spent £75m on Virgil Van Dijk, and Rodriguez is believed to be next on our wish-list. It remains to be seen whether Bayern would agree to terminate the loan deal but it seems Liverpool have started discussions early to give the clubs the time to arrive at an agreement.

James is due to spend two seasons with Bayern before another career crossroads can be reached, and the 26-year-old intends to soon make a decision over his future.

He told El Chiringuito: “I don’t know if Madrid miss me. I did my work well and with all my heart. I was always eager, and everyone could see that when I was doing things well, I could make a difference.

“All the people who were close to me offered great support, such as my ex-wife, mother… they all supported me a lot and I’m eternally grateful to them.

“For now, I’m only thinking about Bayern. No-one knows what’ll happen in the future. My present is at Bayern, and it depends exclusively on me if I’m going to leave or stay.”

Personally, I would love to have James in our team but the decision lies with first Bayern and then Real.