Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Hugo Lloris and James Rodriguez Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

That's according to the Guardian's Rob Smyth, adding the Frenchman to the list of top 'keepers Los Blancos have been linked to since Iker Casillas left for FC Porto last summer.

Per Sky Sports' Guillem Balague, Real failed in their high-profile pursuit of Manchester United stopper David De Gea last year and have also been linked with Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois.

The pair represent the best goalkeepers the Premier League has to offer, and many would put Lloris in the same category.

Per sports reporter Ian Abrahams, the 29-year-old made a stunning stop from a header in France's match with Iceland on Sunday:

Indeed, Lloris possesses exceptional reflexes, allowing him to react to shots many other goalkeepers might have little chance with.

He's certainly an outstanding goalie, but after Real's failure to land De Gea, they arguably don't need him thanks to the emergence of Keylor Navas.

The Costa Rican may not be a "Galactico," but he's been excellent at the Santiago Bernabeu. Here are his stats in comparison with Lloris' numbers last season, per Squawka:

	Lloris	Navas
Apps	37	34
Clean Sheets	13	13
Saves	68	84
Saves per game	2.13	3
Distribution accuracy	68%	71%
Punches	27	14
Catches	69	80

Navas actually has a slight edge overall, and while that's not wholly indicative as to who is the better player, it demonstrates that a goalkeeper needn't be a priority this summer.

Spurs would almost certainly drive a hard bargain for anyone attempting to prise one of their biggest stars away from them, so he's not worth pursuing when his services aren't sorely needed.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Meanwhile, according to AS' Alvaro de la Rosa, Real could be set to part with James Rodriguez, as his sale would not only free up a non-European Union player slot in order for them to pursue Brazil youngster Gabriel Jesus, it would also help fund the capture of a marquee signing such as Paul Pogba.

Per De La Rosa, Los Blancos are permitted three players from outside the EU in their squad next season but already have four, requiring them to move two on if they're to sign Jesus, and Rodriguez and Lucas Silva will be the two most likely to make way as Casemiro and Danilo's places seem more secure.

Further, Real boss Zinedine Zidane "doesn't see the Colombian as an important figure in the coming season."

The 24-year-old endured a difficult second season at the Bernabeu as he struggled for form and fitness. Sports journalist Kieran Canning remarked on his surprising turn of fortune:

However, as Fox Sports' Grant Wahl noted, he was back to his best with Colombia this summer:

Indeed, he enjoyed an excellent Copa America with Los Cafeteros and showed the kind of form that saw Real sign him in the first place, per OptaJavier and OptaJack:

It's clear Rodriguez possesses great quality, and time and youth are still firmly on his side.

He deserves another season to prove himself with Los Blancos, but if the club can benefit from selling him as they pursue other top talents, his time may already be up.