Manchester United Transfer News: Latest James Rodriguez, Tahith Chong Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly been given the all clear to sign Real Madrid's James Rodriguez this summer, according to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror.

The report also stated how the Colombia star could cost the Red Devils as much as £50 million. United may already have the inside track due to James sharing the same agent as new manager Jose Mourinho, so any transfer could "be accelerated" due to that connection, following James' and "Colombia's exit from the Copa America," per McDonnell.

Colombia were dumped out by Chile, losing 2-0 at the semi-final stage, but there may still be a holdup in any deal for James. The 24-year-old is set to undergo shoulder surgery, according to Goal.com (h/t Yahoo Sport).

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Mourinho is intent on making a "statement signing" this summer, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News. Nabbing James for £50 million would qualify as a statement.

The Colombian can be inconsistent, but there's no denying his talent as a genuine match-winner. He boasts flair and unrivalled technique as both a scorer and supplier of goals in the final third.

Mourinho needs a creative hub to make his counter-attack game work. If he could get James to focus the way he did with the mercurial Eden Hazard for Chelsea during the 2014/15 season, United would be a dangerous side going forward thanks to the Colombian's vision in connection with Anthony Martial's pace.

Feyenoord Prodigy Might be Set for United Academy

While Mourinho is being tasked with delivering success in the present, ex-United midfielder Nicky Butt needs to look after the Old Trafford club's future. The academy director may be given a new talent to work with in the form of 16-year-old Feyenoord forward Tahith Chong, according to Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News.

Teenage attacker Chong took to social media to discuss his visits to United, per Dawson: "United have good accommodation for youth players, and it is up to me to make that step. My parents will go to England, and it’s good to have their support there."

Continuing the development of young talent is an important consideration at a club where it's tradition. Mourinho has sometimes been criticised for a perceived lack of interest in fostering youth, something at odds with United's core philosophy.

Bringing over a young striker from the Netherlands, a footballing nation with a deserved reputation for putting its faith in its younger generations, is a step in the right direction.

Yet the move will only count for something if Chong is given legitimate chances to eventually graduate to the first team, the way Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard were last season. If he's instead sent out on a series of loan moves before simply being forgotten, then United will just be paying lip service to the idea of being a club that believes in building through youth.

Regardless of philosophy, the Red Devils have never been shy about spending big on star players. Recruiting James would simply continue that policy. It would also give Mourinho a marquee talent to build a new-look attack around.