Real Madrid Transfer News: James Rodriguez Rumours, Xabi Alonso Talks Barcelona

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly keen to move out-of-favour playmaker James Rodriguez on to Manchester United this summer.

According to Diario Gol, there are a clutch of clubs interested in signing the Colombia captain, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Juventus mentioned (h/t Callum Vurley of the Daily Star). But it's noted Perez is keen to agree a deal with the Red Devils, as the Spanish club wants to bring David De Gea the other way.

Rodriguez's agent, Jorge Mendes, is also said to be a crucial factor in getting any switch done, as he represents both De Gea and the Real Madrid man.

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For Rodriguez, a significant summer looks to be on the cards. He's been pushed to the periphery of the Madrid squad as of late, making just nine starts this season in La Liga. WhoScored.com summed up the reasons why he may not be getting regular minutes:

In the biggest games, manager Zinedine Zidane rarely turns to the Colombian. The Frenchman's preferred setup is a 4-3-3 system, which doesn't include a No. 10 role, where Rodriguez is at his best; the former AS Monaco man doesn't possess the discipline needed to play wide or the physicality to operate as an orthodox midfielder.

Given players like Isco, Lucas Vazquez and even Marco Asensio are ahead of Rodriguez in the pecking order, a move does look to be on the cards in the transfer window. And a fresh start may be what's needed to kickstart the 25-year-old's career again.

The quality is there after all. When he has been on the field, the playmaker has been able to make an impact, as these recent figures from OptaJose show:

United manager Jose Mourinho demands hard work and defensive application from his players, so Rodriguez could have similar issues at Old Trafford. But such is the player's natural ability, perhaps the Red Devils would feel content with catering for his supreme talents.

Xabi Alonso Talks Madrid, Barcelona

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has revealed he came close to signing for Barcelona before he made the switch from Liverpool to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009.

Alonso went on to be a big hit in the Spanish capital, spending five superb seasons at Madrid that culminated in a UEFA Champions League triumph in 2014. However, Alonso detailed to El Pais (h/t AS) how things could have been so much different.

"Liverpool told me that they wanted to sell me, [then-Reds manager Rafa] Benitez too, and Pep [Guardiola] showed an interest in my situation," he said. "He wanted to sign me because, as he told Rafa, I was the type of player who would fit his model. But he had doubts because [Sergio] Busquets had just come through and had the makings of a tremendous player."

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Alonso went on to note that given the success Busquets has enjoyed, Guardiola "wasn't proved wrong."

Now of Bayern Munich, Alonso is set to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign. He'll do so as a legendary player:

The 35-year-old did get to work with Guardiola, with the iconic coach snapping up the veteran a year after he was appointed Bayern boss.

While Barcelona fans may lament the decision not to push through a deal for Alonso, he is synonymous with Los Blancos after his time at the Bernabeu and revered for his role in the club's historic 10th European Cup/Champions League triumph.