Real Madrid Transfer News: Andriy Yarmolenko Battle Amid James Rodriguez Rumours

Real Madrid will have to battle against Barcelona if they're to sign Dynamo Kiev winger Andriy Yarmolenko as a replacement for James Rodriguez, should they choose to sell the Colombia international in 2016.  

Catalan newspaper Sport reported this week that Los Blancos President Florentino Perez has picked out the Ukraine international as a successor to last year's €80 million signing Rodriguez (h/t Football Espana).

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

According to the report, Real have grown frustrated with Rodriguez's alleged lack of discipline, and it's mentioned the attacker reported back late for training ahead of El Clasico in November.

Yarmolenko played a vital role in guiding Dynamo through to the knockout stage of this season's Champions league, contributing two goals in five European games.

Football Espana's report mentioned the 26-year-old prefers the idea of a move to Barcelona, however, and he will "hold out for the Blaugrana" if he is to join one of La Liga's giants.

Yarmolenko penned a new five-year contract with Dynamo Kiev in October, although this could have been a move to net the Ukrainian outfit a larger fee for his services. The Press Association's Matt McGeehan said the new deal contains no release clause:

There has also been talk of growing disharmony in the Real Madrid dressing room, and reports have emerged claiming Rodriguez to be one of those players who endures a fractious relationship with manager Rafa Benitez.

That speculation erupted when Rodriguez was an unused substitute in November's Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk, but Benitez denied any notion of a rift, per Goal.com:

"

James has my full support and confidence. There is no problem with him. He is an excellent player. But he has been out of action for almost two months due to injury. The more he trains and plays, the closer he gets to being the James we all know.

James is an excellent player, a very good footballer. But this is Madrid. There is a lot of competition for places. Like I have said before, though, I was very happy with his performance against Eibar. I always want to see him at his best. I want to see the best James each week.

"

Rodriguez was brought to the Bernabeu from Monaco after the 2014 World Cup with a heap of expectation, but injuries have limited the maestro to just 10 outings across all competitions this term.

However, the 24-year-old was in firing form during Real's 10-2 demolition of nine-man Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, where he contributed no fewer than three assists to the cause.

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press

Yarmolenko could be seen as a like-for-like replacement, with both left-footed players preferring to cut in from the right flank, although some of Rodriguez's best football tends to come through the middle.

Real invested a great amount in Rodriguez, but patience is reportedly wearing thin with the attacking ace, and Yarmolenko is waiting in the wings should Los Merengues decide to cut ties with their playmaker.