Chelsea Transfer News: James Rodriguez Interest Reported, Loic Remy Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly plotting a €90 million (£78.16 million) offer for Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, with the playmaker’s future with Los Blancos said to be in doubt. 

Sport reported “according to information in England,” the Blues would be willing to spend big to secure the Colombia international, who has fallen out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu. It’s suggested manager Antonio Conte wants to add a defender and creator to his squad.

Adding fuel to that speculation is a report from Jose Felix Diaz of Marca (translated by Aldo Sainati), in which it’s suggested Rodriguez’s Real Madrid career is currently “on a knife-edge” with manager Zinedine Zidane said to be encouraging the former Monaco man “to try his luck elsewhere, as the current situation is unsustainable.”

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According to Gerard Romero of Sport, Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be set to move the other way after he was left out of the Chelsea side for their first game of the season against West Ham United on Monday.

"Fabregas' proposed transfer to Juventus has been ruled out for now, but the scenario of him joining Real is becoming a serious possibility and would strengthen the European champions ahead of their FIFA transfer sanction being potentially reimposed," Romero continued.

For a player of such remarkable natural talent, it’s a peculiar situation for Rodriguez. After all, as we can see here, in his debut term in the Spanish capital, the midfielder was sensational:

The second was a struggle. Injuries prevented the 25-year-old from showing his best under Rafael Benitez, while his predecessor Zidane rarely used Rodriguez in Madrid’s crucial games. The return of Alvaro Morata and the emergence of Marco Asensio have cast further doubts over the player’s status.

Zidane’s decision to marginalise the No. 10 is not without credence, though. As sports journalist Rafael Hernandez noted here, the application of Rodriguez has not been good enough:

For a coach like Conte, that simply wouldn’t do. The Italian demands full commitment from his players and gives every member of the starting XI tactical instructions to follow. Rodriguez, for all of his talents, wouldn’t thrive with so much defensive responsibility on his shoulders.

The Colombian has shown his best form for club and country when he’s given license to roam. With Zidane adding a pragmatic edge to Real since he took over, that’s something Rodriguez is unlikely to enjoy in Madrid. Finding a club that’ll allow him to be the fluid fulcrum of the team’s attacking play looks his best bet at this juncture.

Lyon Looking at Loic Remy

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According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, Lyon want to sign Loic Remy on loan from Chelsea, with concerns over the future of their star forward, Alexandre Lacazette.

As noted in the piece, the latter has been linked with the likes of West Ham United and Arsenal. Now it seems as though the Ligue 1 side are making plans in case Lacazette departs, with Remy eyed in a temporary deal. Jones added “several” Premier League teams are keen on the 29-year-old.

Remy definitely needs to find a new club this summer following a couple of frustrating seasons at Stamford Bridge. Injuries have prevented the France international from showing his best, with Diego Costa nailing down a starting spot up top.

However, when Remy has been given chances off the bench, he’s been effective, as these numbers from WhoScored.com show:

After the signing of Michy Batshuayi, it’s unlikely Remy has a future at Stamford Bridge, and should Lacazette indeed depart Lyon this summer, he could be a shrewd capture for the Ligue 1 side. It’s a club Remy knows well, having progressed through the Lyon academy into the first team earlier in his career.

At 29, Remy should be at his peak as a forward, and despite his troubles at Stamford Bridge, he’s maintained an eye for goal when given a chance. With consistent games and an improved fitness record, the Frenchman would still have a lot to offer at the right club.