According to AS, James Rodriguez ‘could leave’ Real Madrid for the ‘right offer’ this summer. The 28-year-old has an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu after struggling for form, fitness and playing time this season, so Wolves have a greater chance of procuring his signature.
James joined Real from AS Monaco in 2014 and has gone on to make 124 appearances in all competitions, scoring 37 goals and making 42 assists. The Colombian international fell out of favour at Real and had a two-year loan at Bayern Munich in 2017, contributing 35 goals in 67 games, but he didn’t do enough to earn himself a permanent move to the Allianz Arena.
Upon his return to the Bernabeu, James found himself on the periphery under Zinedine Zidane. He’s made only 13 appearances across the board this season, contributing three goals. The 28-year-old has racked up 650 minutes of football in all competitions and hasn’t featured in La Liga since October 2019. He suffered a knee injury and fell down the pecking order when fit.
It remains to be seen why Wolves would want to sign him, however, as James is in poor form and can’t stay fit for long. Real want €50m (£44.6) for the €6.5m-a-year (£111.7k-per-week) flop too, so he won’t come cheap. And the 28-year-old reportedly prefers a move to Everton as well, so the Midlands outfit could struggle to lure him to Molineux anyway.
It’s good news Real are keen to sell James, but it’s hard to see Wolves making a move. Nuno Espirito Santo has Pedro Neto, Diego Jota, Daniel Podence and Adama Traore so he’s not short on forwards, and it may not be good business for Wolves to break their transfer record on an out-of-form and soon-to-be 29-year-old player.
I don’t think they will sign him but if they do, it will be as a mid-fielder, not as a forward.