Bayern midfielder and Arsenal target could remain in Germany next season

On-loan Bayern Munich star James Rodriguez could remain in Germany after his temporary switch expires at the end of the season, according to sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

Arsenal have been linked with a cut-price £3 million loan move for the Colombian, perhaps as a replacement for the out-of-favour Mesut Ozil, but Bayern are keen to keep the attacking midfielder at least until the end of this season.

The Gunners would have to sign the player from Real Madrid if Bayern decided to cut short his 24-month loan switch.

Via The Mirror, Bayern would need to pay £39.5 million to make the deal permanent and sign James from Real Madrid.

Salihamidzic has insisted that Bayern would not activate this option just to sell him on for a profit; if he was to sign for the German giants, he would remain there and be integral to their plans.

He has scored three times in just eight Bundesliga matches this campaign, restricted in his playing time through injury and falling out of favour under Niko Kovac.

It was Carlo Ancelotti who signed James for Bayern, but the Italian has since moved onto Napoli.

SL Benfica v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Group E

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has previously admitted that he is only able to sign players on loan this month due to financial restrictions.

Denis Suarez, who he worked with at Sevilla, is thought to be their prime target, but with Aaron Ramsey leaving in the summer, reportedly to Juventus, having multiple attacking midfield incomings is far from unlikely.

Both Suarez and James would fit the style of play that Emery wishes to implement at the Emirates, but shifting Ozil and his £350,000 per week contract could prove tricky.

Given Arsenal's financial situation, moving Ozil on first is likely to be a requirement for both deals to take place.