Real Madrid Transfer News: James Rodriguez, Raphael Varane, Top Rumours

Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez has reportedly already met with Juventus officials but failed to agree terms with the Serie A giants as he seeks a move away from the Spanish capital.

It's a blow for Juve, who are likely to face competition from Premier League sides Manchester City and Arsenal for the Colombian playmaker.

Spanish source OK Diario (h/t Football-Italia.net) reported how James met with officials from the Bianconeri and was even taken on a tour of the club's facilities. Yet the 24-year-old is said to have "returned to Madrid without having reached an agreement."

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The same report also revealed how James is currently on a "€6m-per-season deal running until 2020." It's not known if having to match those terms was the reason why Juve couldn't strike a deal, but any suitor is going to need to present the South American star with a lucrative contract.

That might not be a problem for mega-rich Manchester City. Along with Arsenal, the Citizens are keeping an eye on developments in Madrid.

Real president Florentino Perez plans to meet with James' agent, Jorge Mendes, next week to discuss his client's future, per Spanish publication El Confidencial (h/t talkSPORT.com).

The report detailed Arsenal's previous interest while also revealing City's intentions: "Arsenal were linked with a move for James last summer, while City are also understood to be ready to submit a mega-money offer should the 24-year-old become available."

It's City who could stand the better chance of eventually signing James. There have been rumours the player has already been house hunting in Manchester, per OK Diario (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).

What does seem clear is how Los Blancos appear content to part ways with a player who can be world class on his day but often flatters to deceive.

At his best, James boasts the impudent flair and cerebral instincts of another South American playmaker who was eventually dumped out of the Santiago Bernabeu, Angel Di Maria.

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Ironically, James' arrival in 2014, following a stunning FIFA World Cup campaign with Colombia, likely hastened Di Maria's exit from the Spanish capital.

The latter's ill-fated Premier League stint with Manchester United in 2014/15 may give James pause for thought while he's choosing his next destination.

But major rewards await whichever manager can find a way to get this ex-Porto and Monaco ace to consistently produce his best.

Raphael Varane Won't Join Manchester United Without Jose Mourinho

Los Merengues could lose French centre-back Raphael Varane to Premier League side Manchester United this summer, but only if the Red Devils hire former Real boss Jose Mourinho.

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Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star has reported Varane doesn't want to work with incumbent United chief Louis van Gaal: "But while he is open to joining United, the centre-back has made it clear he will pull the plug if ‘The Special One’ doesn’t become the club’s next boss. Varane, who has 28 caps, is close to Mourinho, who signed him from Lens when he was boss of the Spanish giants in 2011."

The same report also detailed how Varane has fallen out of favour in Madrid since Zinedine Zidane succeeded Rafa Benitez as manager. But while the 23-year-old may fancy a move, events at Old Trafford are beyond his control.

Cross noted how Van Gaal is "fighting a losing battle" to finish in the top four in England's top flight and thus qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Potential United interest in Tottenham Hotspur chief Mauricio Pochettino was also cited, but those plans have been scuppered by the north London club announcing Pochettino has signed a five-year contract extension, via its official site:

So the door appears open for Mourinho to join the Reds this summer, making a linkup with Varane more possible.

But should Real try to block the move? After all, Varane is still young enough to iron out the deficiencies in his game. He's prone to mistakes, but his raw pace and physical power are the ingredients of a dominant centre-back.

With Pepe 33 and Sergio Ramos 30, Los Blancos would be wise to consider the future at this key position.

Varane seems more likely to stay in the Spanish capital than James, but losing both would rob Real's squad of two young talents with room to grow into the kind of stars the club expects.