Manchester United are very interested in signing Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, according to reports in Spain.
The Colombian is out of favour under Rafa Benitez at Los Blancos and is said to be one of the players to have had angry confrontations with the boss, who arrived in the summer and whose job is already under serious threat.
According to Jose Luis Sanchez, a respected sports journalist, United want to sign the 24-year-old in the summer.
He told late night sports show El Chiringuito that the Red Devils are “very interested” in signing Rodriguez – who was top scorer and scored the goal of the tournament at the World Cup in Brazil last summer.
United would need to spend around 80 million euros on the playmaker should they wish to be taken seriously – a similar figure to their outlay on Angel di Maria, who only lasted one season at Old Trafford following his move from Real Madrid. The club’s chief executive, Ed Woodward, believes the club would cover the cost of the signing through a huge marketing boost by signing someone of Rodriguez’ stature.
The Colombian could be persuaded to leave the Spanish capital should Benitez remain in charge but with the boss’ future in some doubt, he may well opt to stay beyond his contract which ends in 2020.
