Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on James Rodriguez, Alvaro Negredo and More

Real Madrid are just a few players away from becoming immortal in the world of football.

Though they harbour some of the best talents that the game has to offer in their ranks and the title of European champions, Real being Real means that they’re always hungry for more.

With that in mind, they’re looking to bring Colombian sensation James Rodriguez to the Bernabeu to fill the No. 10 role in the upcoming campaign.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

A fee of €85 million has been agreed with Monaco for Rodriguez’s signature, per Carlos Carpio of Marca, and reports are now emerging that the 23-year-old is preparing for life in the Spanish capital.

Marca have revealed, via David Kent of the Daily Mail, that Rodriguez is now searching for a house in Madrid, while AS report that the Colombian already has a place at the club’s Valdebebas training ground.

It’s been a lengthy transfer saga already for Rodriguez and Madrid, but if the club can seal the Monaco star’s signature then it’ll be well worth the wait.

Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press

There’s no doubt that Rodriguez has what it takes to be the latest Galactico at the Bernabeu—the World Cup Golden Boot that he now treasures tells us that—as he’s a star that can cut it against the very best in the business.

The way that he played in Brazil was nothing short of sublime, scoring six goals and putting together endless strong performances to boot—winning the plaudits of former England striker Gary Lineker among many others:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also heaped praise on the Monaco star when beIN Sports asked, via James Orr of The Independent, whether or not Rodriguez was too big for the French club:

“I believe that’s true. Why? Because a player like that is difficult to keep at a club when you have Real Madrid and Barcelona looking around.”

Should Rodriguez make the switch to the Bernabeu, he’ll be part of the most lethal attacking force in world football—together with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Felipe Dana/Associated Press

That’s enough to make any La Liga defender have nightmares, but Real also reportedly have another striker in their sights—Alvaro Negredo.

With Alvaro Morata making the switch to Juventus, per Sky Sports, Real Madrid are looking to replace him with Manchester City’s Negredo—per Fichajes.com (in Spanish), via Metro.

Negredo scored nine goals during his debut season in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.com, but he found chances in City’s first team hard to come by in the back end of the season.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Seemingly wasted at the Etihad Stadium, Madrid will be looking to bring Negredo in as a back-up to Benzema, but the Spaniard insists he’s satisfied with life in Manchester—per Metro’s report:

“I don’t want to leave City, I’m very happy and settled here. I had a difficult end to the season and that’s why there’s been a lot of talking. But I’ve been very happy from the first day I arrived.”

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti will need to do his best to tempt the 28-year-old into the move, but it’s unlikely that he’ll settle for a life of substitute appearances and will look to break into City’s first team on a regular basis next term.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Focusing away from players coming in to players potentially leaving, and club captain and legend Iker Casillas has reportedly asked for a move away from the Bernabeu.

According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, reported via David Kent of the Daily Mail, Casillas has asked that his contract be terminated with Real so that he can join Arsenal on a free transfer.

With Diego Lopez proving more than capable between the Real Madrid posts last season and Keylor Navas close to joining, per Anthony Hay of the Daily Mail, it seems that there may not be a place in Casillas’ boyhood club anymore.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

It would be bizarre to see Casillas in any other shirt than that of Real Madrid but going out after lifting the Champions League may well be the best way to do it.

For now, though, all of Real fans’ hopes will rest in Rodriguez making the switch to the Bernabeu in the hope that they can take their La Liga crown back from Atletico with him in their ranks.

The transfer saga has gone on long enough but, like Rodriguez in many ways, it’s set to run and run.