Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale
Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez is reportedly keen to join Manchester United this summer, having agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford club.
A report from Spanish source Diario Gol (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star Sunday) has revealed the player "is ready to do everything in his power to link up with Mourinho at Old Trafford."
However, the reports also note a fee is yet to be agreed between Los Blancos and the Red Devils: "United have agreed personal terms with the Colombian and 'everything' has been settled between the club and the player. However, Jose Mourinho is struggling to agree a fee with Real and the La Liga giants are standing firm."
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As Harvey pointed out, Real are determined to get £61.2 million for the South American schemer. It's a hefty fee for a player Los Merengues manager Zinedine Zidane has been reluctant to play during most of the last two seasons.
Colombia international James started just 13 games in La Liga last season, per WhoScored.com. The 25-year-old still managed to chip in with eight goals and six assists.
Those numbers in limited action are a testament to James' immense quality in the final third. Few players can match his technique, vision and flair as a natural No. 10.
Frankly, even a squad as deep and talented as Real's could still use a player with James' ability. Yet Zidane will likely point to other options in forward areas, notably Isco and Gareth Bale.
It's also true that the emergence of Spain U21 international Marco Asensio has thrown one more obstacle in James' path as he tries to win over his manager.
Even so, the fact Los Blancos can hold out for such a hefty fee for a player who joined them in a deal potentially worth £71 million in 2014, shows how highly regarded James is by other clubs.
Forward Tipped for United Move
Barry Glendenning, deputy sports editor of the Guardian's website, has tipped Gareth Bale to move to United this summer.
Speaking during an edition of the Football Weekly podcast (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star Sunday), Glendenning made this prediction: "I am convinced Bale will be a Manchester United player at the start of next season."
Glendenning was initially discussing Real's interest in AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe. Los Merengues have reportedly convinced the 18-year-old to sign after a phone call from Zidane, per French publication L'Equipe (h/t Spanish source AS, via MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer).
Zidane is said to have indicated one of Bale or fellow forwards Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will be moved on to make room for Mbappe, per the reports.
This isn't the first time Bale has been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital in recent days. The Wales international has also been named as a target for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, per French source Le Parisien (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).
Injuries have blighted Bale since he signed for Real from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013. An illustration of his problems staying fit was provided last season, when he made just 17 starts in La Liga, per WhoScored.
Yet, for all his injury woes, Bale has been effective when healthy. He scored nine times and supplied three assists last season. More than numbers, though, the 27-year-old has delivered on the biggest stages.
He scored a spectacular winner to beat bitter rivals Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final. Later the same year, Bale put Real into the lead in the UEFA Champions League final against neighbours Atletico Madrid, helping Los Blancos seal La Decima, a historic 10th triumph in Europe's premier club competition.
At his best, Bale boasts the pace, aerial power and ruthless finishing to be the natural successor to 32-year-old talisman Ronaldo. It all depends on whether the Welshman can stay off the treatment table, a risk Real should take.
It's too soon for Zidane to give up on James and Bale just yet. Their presence at least ensures Los Blancos maintain the strength in depth to continue to dominate European football.
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