Colombian soccer star James Rodriguez is the source of further speculation with European media reporting on Thursday that Italian giants Juventus and German side Bayern Munich are interested in signing the 24-year old.
Italian sports newspaper “Il Corriere dello Sport” led with a headline “Juve-James, at full speed” and claimed that a meeting will take place between the directors of Juventus and Real Madrid after the Champions League Final in Milan next week.
Meanwhile Spanish sports newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” and British outlet “The Mirror” have suggested that the Colombian star is bound to be reunited with former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancellotti at Bayern Munich.
Is Manchester United next for Colombia’s James Rodriguez?
Italian champions Juventus are hoping to prize James away from the Bernabeu by offering a fee of €47 million as well as Spanish striker Alvaro Morata as an additional bargaining chip, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The speculation linking the playmaker with Bayern is centered upon a reunion with boss Carlo Ancellotti who is taking the reigns in Bavaria from Pep Guardiola.
Ancellotti signed James from Monaco for €80 million after the Colombian won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup.
James enjoyed an excellent debut season scoring 17 goals and providing 18 assists in all competitions under the Italian’s tutelage, which turned out to be the pinnacle of his Real Madrid career.
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The future of the Cucuta-born attacker has been the source of much debate following a disappointing season under former manager Rafa Benitez and current boss Zinedine Zidane.
Despite the widely reported frayed relationship between the two, James said on Wednesday that he respects the position of the current coach and former World Cup winner.
“I train and prepare, as all my colleagues, but the decision maker is the coach and that is something I deeply respect, he is the boss,” said the Colombian.
A host of additional English and European clubs are also said to be monitoring the situation with James, most notably Manchester United and PSG.
Colombia vs. USA to open this year’s Copa America
James will lead Colombia in next months centenary Copa America when “Los Cafeteros” take on the USA in the opening game on June 3 before group clashes with Paraguay and Costa Rica.
Coach Jose Pekerman confirmed on Thursday that James will not be selected to play for the national team at the Olympics in Brazil later in the summer.
