In the latest round of transfer rumors about Real Madrid's James Rodriguez, Chelsea FC and Manchester United are set to battle it out for the Colombian international.
James Rodriguez has been struggling so far in Real Madrid to get more playing time this season, with reports claiming he's fallen out of favor with Zinedine Zidane and the player is already looking for an escape by next year. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho of Manchester United are both interested in signing him up and offer the Colombian striker an exit from Real.
Conte was said to have tried signing up James Rodriguez for Mourinho last summer but was unable to, however according to the Express he's keen to try again after reports have surfaced regarding Rodriguez's falling out with Zidane. The Colombian international is said to be one of his targets in January.
Real Madrid might not be so eager to let him go as James Rodriguez is known for being the sixth most expensive player of all time, having cost $78.2M to sign him up in Madrid after winning the Golden Boot in 2014. It would be a disappointment for the board if Rodriguez won't secure a long-term career with the club and live up to that price tag. There are three years left to that contract, but there are reports already the Colombian striker is now looking for a way out to play somewhere else.
One aspect that might complicate matters is Real Madrid's transfer ban, which means they cannot sign players until winter 2018. The club might not be willing to part with any of its current players until they can sign up replacements. But given reports about Zidane and James Rodriguez's relationship so far, letting the Colombian striker go when the right offer comes might be on everyone's best interests. The report also claims that Conte not put off by the transfer ban and will make another attempt again by January next year.