Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on James Rodriguez and Kylian Mbappe

The agent of Real Madrid's James Rodriguez was surprised to hear the winger's recent comments over a potential winter transfer, with Chelsea favourites to sign the player. Meanwhile, AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe has revealed he rejected Real's approaches in 2013.

According to Jose Felix Diaz of Spanish newspaper Marca, Rodriguez's representative, Jorge Mendes, was in the dark about his client's transfer confession when speaking to the media after Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup final victory over Kashima Antlers:

"

Things are not going as I would want. But I have had offers and I have these seven days [over the winter break] to think well about everything.

I want to stay, but you must think about everything. I cannot assure you what will happen, as I want to play more.

I want to play more. I am happy here, everybody around me too, I like the city. But if I am not playing, I must think about it all and look for a way out.

"

According to Diaz, Rodriguez agreed with Mendes that he would remain at the Santiago Bernabeu past the January window and "make the most of any opportunities coming his way," but it appears the winger may have other plans.

Bruce Archer of the Daily Express reported Chelsea are favourites to sign Rodriguez with bookmakers and sourced Steve Stammers of the Mirror, who said Oscar's January sale will fund the £75 million move.

Oscar is set to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG for a reported £62 million, per Stammers, which would give Chelsea a great deal more bargaining power during the winter transfer market.

Ed Malyon of the Mirror outlined a Real Madrid exit as a must for Rodriguez, who has struggled to fit in under manager Zinedine Zidane and amassed just four La Liga starts this season:

Elsewhere, Monaco forward Mbappe has lifted the lid on his decision to reject Zidane's offer of a move to the Bernabeu in 2013, when he made the move from youth side AS Bondy to join his current employers.

In a recent interview with Telefoot (h/t ESPN FC's Ian Holyman), Mbappe spoke of his choice to move to the French Riviera instead of Spain's capital despite the encouragement from a childhood idol:

"

I experienced that like a child who sees the greatest French player in history talk to him. 

He was touching, honest with me. It was a great moment. In the end, I didn't join Real Madrid because I wanted to stay in my country, I didn't want to leave so early. It wouldn't have worked. I chose to come to Monaco and I made the right choice.

"

Mbappe made the move to Monaco and earned his first-team debut in December 2015, which ignited the 17-year-old's upward spiral through Ligue 1's ranks to become one of France's most highly rated prospects.

The teenager signed a three-year contract with the French club in March, and Goal's Mohammed Ali illustrated just how highly the club values their starlet, who earns an equivalent of €75,000 (£63,000) per month:

That figure indicates the faith Monaco have in Mbappe, who has scored six goals in 14 appearances for Monaco this season, three of which have been bagged in Ligue 1.

Real already have Karim Benzema leading their attack, with Alvaro Morata as an able deputy, but Zidane may well rue the missed opportunity he had to acquire one of France's brightest prodigies.