Amidst speculations of bad dressing room behaviour and a lack of play time, the Colombian sensation James Rodriguez has been linked to another Premier League club West Ham. According to leading Spanish newspaper Marca, the Hammers have the financial prowess to sign the 25-year-old. Earlier this month, he was linked with top English clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea, but a move to the Olympic stadium is unlikely to happen due to their status as a less established club on the European circuit compared to United and Chelsea.
The Hammers have been rumoured to join in the race for Rodriguez after reports of Arsenal highjacking Carlos Bacca’s move to West ham started circulating. Rodriguez, on the other hand, has expressed his interest of playing in the Premier League. Earlier in the week, the Daily Mail reported saying that he is keen on playing in the Premier League which put United and other top clubs on red alert.
Rodriguez, after an impressive world cup with 5 goals and the goal of the tournament, moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Monaco in a deal worth €80 million. Since then, he has been in and out of the squad and a part-time starter for the Los Blancos in the Champions League. As reported by Marca, Real Madrid have not been impressed with the player’s dressing room attitude. But coach Zinedine ZIdane and president Florentino Perez will undoubtedly put dressing room harmony above any player.
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Rodriguez, who shares Jorge Mendes as his agent with Jose Mourinho, is likely to join United due to the agent’s affiliations. Even though West Ham have the financial resources owing to their healthy television broadcast rights and contracts, the lack of Champions league football could be a stonewall for the move.
After an impressive Copa America, Rodriguez would likely move to a club where his presence and playtime will be adored, unlike his current club. He faces the same fate as Isco who has been out of favour from the boss Zidane. James is reported to have pumped his workout and is getting fit for the pre-season tour. But Zidane and Perez will ask for and value psychological commitment to the club more than anything.
If James moves to a club like West Ham, he is guaranteed a playing XI spot, something which Real have not offered him. It will also be interesting to see the young Colombian playing a more physical game compared to the give and go game played in the La Liga.
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