Real Madrid Transfer News: James Rodriguez Eyed by Manchester City, Top Rumours

Manchester City are reportedly set to join the battle to sign Real Madrid’s out-of-favour playmaker James Rodriguez.

That’s according to Luke Salvin-Hughes of Sport, who noted that the Colombian’s long-term future at the football club seems to be unclear having seen his status diminish at the Santiago Bernabeu under manager Zinedine Zidane. Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also cited as having an interest in the player.

"The significant interest is coming from the Premier League from both Manchester United and Manchester City," said Salvin-Hughes. "Incoming City coach Pep Guardiola is keen to capitalise on the former Porto player's situation in the Spanish capital, as he has been seemingly resigned to a low position in Zinedine Zidane's pecking order."

Rodriguez enjoyed a magnificent debut term in the iconic all-white jersey, although he failed to recapture that same spark last season. Here is a reminder of what he is capable of at his best:

Indeed, Madridistas only need to cast their eyes to the Copa America Centenario for a glimpse of the player who was on show in 2014-15. As the captain of the national team, Rodriguez has dazzled in the United States, with Colombia winning both of their two games so far.

As Bleacher Report UK noted here, manager Jose Pekerman has shown that, in the right system, Rodriguez can be a huge threat:

That’s beyond dispute, as few will deny the ludicrous natural talent Rodriguez possesses. With the ball at his feet, he can change the course of matches, whether that’s by a superb pass in the final third, a devilish cross or a long-range strike. Those are attributes that would naturally appeal to a manager who places a high value on technical players like Guardiola, too.

But it’s tough to see Rodriguez fitting into the City boss' blueprint. He’s struggled at Madrid recently because he doesn’t possess the discipline or tactical acumen to play in Zidane’s 4-3-3 system. The Colombian needs freedom to flourish, and that’s not something Guardiola would likely afford him.

Real Reportedly Set for Busy Summer

Uncredited/Associated Press

According to Marca (h/t Football Espana), there will be a lot of new faces coming through the door at Real during this transfer window, as the club braces itself for a possible ban.

It’s suggested the levels of activity could even match the summer of 2009, when Madrid revamped their attacking setup with the big-money signings of Karim Benzema, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Cristiano Ronaldo. Per the piece, both Los Blancos and their local rivals Atletico Madrid face sanctions for signing under-18 players from outside Spain.

Juventus star Paul Pogba is a name mentioned in the piece as a possible target, while it’s also suggested Real will consider player sales carefully as the club do not want to be left short should they serve a two-window ban.

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

As these numbers from OptaPaolo show, if Real want a midfielder who can marry brawn with a creative eye, Pogba may be the ideal candidate:

Barcelona were in a similar situation a couple of summers ago. With their ban suspended pending an appeal, the club moved to acquire Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. While there were times the squad was stretched after the ban kicked in the following January, those key new faces were a big boost for the club as they went on to secure a treble.

Madrid will be hoping for something similar should they splash the cash. Two of the players landed in 2009—Benzema and Ronaldo—remain key members of the first team, showing their value to the cause consistently over the last seven years.

The club will undoubtedly have to spend big if they want to acquire players capable of replicating their influence.