Manchester United Transfer News: James Rodriguez Offered, Latest Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, although it’s stated he will cost around £60 million to bring to the Premier League.

According to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star Sunday, the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has been at the centre of this offer. Rodriguez, who moved to Madrid in the summer of 2014, is also said to be attracting interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus having fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Colombia international doesn’t seem to be the right kind of fit for the way manager Zinedine Zidane wants his side to play. The Daily Mirror’s Ed Malyon is doubtful as to whether his future will be in the Spanish capital:

It’d be a shame if so, as the player has been extremely popular with Madridistas. In his first season Rodriguez pulled the strings superbly at Real with his brilliant manipulation of the ball and ability to chip in with vital goals. Here is a reminder of what he is capable of:

Playing from a wider position or off the centre-forward, Los Blancos’ attack always seemed to go through the former Monaco man. But now he looks like a dispensable part of the squad.

Zidane seems to prefer a 4-3-3 system for the major matches, with dynamic, purposeful players packed into the side. Intricate and somewhat lightweight playmakers, such as Isco and Rodriguez, have therefore been less and less involved in the crucial games towards the back end of the campaign.

As noted by AFP’s Kieran Canning last month, the deterioration in Rodriguez’s stock has been sharp:

Fitness has had a lot to do with it, as the Colombian also missed significant spells under the tutelage of ex-boss Rafael Benitez.

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A fresh start at somewhere like United would potentially kick-start his career again. The Red Devils were stung the last time they signed a player from Real for a record amount in Angel Di Maria, and that could make them hesitant about a possible transfer. However, if given a consistent spot in the side, Rodriguez has the class to light up the English game.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson Agrees New Deal

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According to Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People (h/t the Sunday Mirror) Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is set to sign a new four-year deal with Manchester United after an impressive breakthrough term.

As noted by Hopkinson, the 19-year-old left-back recently picked up the club’s under-21 Player of the Year accolade, having played a crucial role in the team’s title win. Under manager Louis van Gaal the defender has made 13 appearances in the senior side, impressing with his energy and superb delivery.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News thinks the youngster should be a regular fixture in the first team given the standard of his displays:

It’s clear United have a very talented footballer on their hands. With Borthwick-Jackson and Luke Shaw in the squad, the club’s left-back slot seems to be in fine shape for years to come; Red Devils supporters will be hoping the duo can push each other on to achieving great things in the iconic red jersey.

Borthwick-Jackson deserves to be rewarded for his fine recent form, and it’d be a wonderful achievement for him if he lined up in the FA Cup final on May 21, not to mention a strong reflection on the club’s academy setup.