Real Madrid Transfer News: James Rodriguez Price Named by Monaco

Ligue 1 side Monaco are not prepared to let their star player James Rodriguez go without an almighty fight and have placed a whopping price tag on the Colombian star for any potential suitors.

Rodriguez is currently excelling at the World Cup in Brazil—he has five goals from four games—and his form has sparked rumours he may be the subject of interest from Real Madrid.

But the La Liga giants will have to pay €75 million (£59.5 million) if they want to buy the 22-year-old, according to Marca (via 101 Great Goals):

Rodriguez arrived at Monaco from Porto last summer for a fee of £38.5 million, per BBC Sport, and they are clearly eager to make a significant profit should they sell him on.

However, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev suggests a transfer is unlikely considering the amount of time still left on the player's contract, as per Sky Sports' Graeme Bailey:

"

Everyone was surprised at the large sum we spent last year and now everyone is talking about him. That means that we were right. We strongly believe in this player, it is very important to us, he still has four years on his contract and we will do many great things together. 

"

Monaco finished a distant second to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season, with Rodriguez contributing nine goals and 12 assists from the midfield. 

However, it is thanks to his sublime performances in Brazil that he is now being touted as one of the world's best players, including by the likes of Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez, as per FIFA:

As well as his five goals, he has also provided two assists and currently leads the race for the World Cup's Golden Boot award; he is also a serious contender for the Golden Ball, given to the tournament's best player.

There are reports suggesting Real may sell on star player Angel Di Maria in order to both fund the Rodriguez purchase as well as providing a position for him to fill, as per AS:

While Rodriguez can play as a No. 10, he would be an ideal replacement for Di Maria on the Real flank. Add him to an already blistering attacking unit at the Bernabeu, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, and Madrid would boast frightening talent next term.

However, they may struggle to persuade Monaco to part with the player as the French outfit attempt to establish themselves as a top European club. 

What is in no doubt is that should Real seal the purchase of Rodriguez, Monaco will have been well compensated and will have plenty of money to invest in a replacement.