Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on James Rodriguez, Thibaut Courtois Rumours

Juventus’ director general Giuseppe Marotta has insisted a potential pursuit of Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez will depend on the club’s financial situation.

The Colombia international has been on the fringes of the Los Blancos side since Zinedine Zidane took over at the Santiago Bernabeu and is expected to depart the club. Juve are one of the teams that have been linked with the ex-Monaco man, and Marotta refused to rule out a potential swoop when asked about the player by La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sergi Gomez of AS).

“James? It depends on how our market is,” he said. “We will remain respectful of financial equilibrium, but everyone knows that Juventus want to place ourselves among the best clubs in the world. That will always be our ambition and objective.”

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Gomez added that the Italian champions will not move for the 25-year-old during the winter window. It’s suggested Juventus tried to sign Rodriguez ahead of the current campaign after the sale of Paul Pogba, although they were eventually content with the capture of Miralem Pjanic from Roma.

Rodriguez would be a coup for Juve if they were to get him in. While his influence has dwindled in the Spanish capital, his numbers for the duration of his Madrid career are impressive, per Squawka Football:

A player in Rodriguez’s mould would add something different to the Juve team, too. While they possess tremendous midfield options in Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira, the one position in which their star-studded squad is arguably lacking is the No. 10 berth.

With the trio of orthodox central midfielders behind him, Rodriguez would thrive. He may not be in the same kind of league as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, meaning Zidane can’t afford to accommodate the Colombian. However, slot him into the current structure at Juventus and the playmaker can reignite his career.

Thibaut Courtois “On Course” for Madrid Move

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According to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca (translated by Patrick Boyland), Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is “on course” for a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

In the piece, it’s reported the Belgium international has advised friends of his intention to make the switch to Madrid, where he will reportedly take over from Keylor Navas between the sticks. Courtois is reportedly keen to return to the city, as he enjoyed three years on loan with Atletico Madrid.

Despite his recent return to form for the Blues after a disappointing 2015-16, it’s suggested in the report Courtois “is close to certain to be in Real Madrid colours” at the start of next season.

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The Blues ‘keeper has rediscovered his best this term at the base of Antonio Conte’s side. WhoScored.com summed up just how effective he’s been for Chelsea as of late:

Given his performances for the Premier League leaders, it’d be tough for Madrid to convince Chelsea to sell. Additionally, the 24-year-old could still have a decade left in him at the highest level of the game, and as a result, the Blues could command an enormous fee for a player of potentially enormous longevity.

For Madrid, a ‘keeper isn’t desperately needed, as Navas has proved himself as a capable operator at the highest level. However, Courtois is one of the rising stars in the game and is the kind of calibre of footballer the European champions typically target.