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Just a little over this time five years ago, a certain James Rodriguez was the hottest property in the football market.
The Colombian international had entered the 2014 World Cup as just another talented player, but departed it as a bonafide superstar, having stepped up to the plate in Radamel Falcao's absence and powered Colombia to a quarter-final appearance.
Rodriguez captured imaginations around the world, winning the World Cup Golden Boot and was a transfer target of several major clubs in Europe.
The former Porto man is blessed with boyish good looks as well as extreme talent and global marketability, so it came as no surprise when Real Madrid president Florentino Perez sanctioned his purchase for the sum of £63 million from Monaco in July 2014.
The move made him the then-fourth-most expensive player in history, as well as the third-costliest player of all time for Real Madrid, and it was expected that he would help build a lasting legacy with Los Blancos.
Just a little over a month later, the Colombian helped Real Madrid to a trophy, starring for 72 minutes as they defeated Sevilla 2-0 to win the 2014 UEFA Super Cup.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Rodriguez was a guaranteed starter during the 2014-2015 season, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring 17 goals.
However, the sacking of the Italian saw his position in the team reduce, following the appointments of Rafa Benitez and Zinedine Zidane. He consequently lost his starting place over the next two seasons before a two-year loan deal was agreed with Bayern Munich in 2017.
In Germany, Rodriguez started life well, leading to speculations that his transfer would be made permanent, but injury problems as well as off-field issues have apparently changed the Bayern board's decision.
With just one year left on his Real Madrid contract, Rodriguez seemingly has no future at Real Madrid and reports indicate that the club are desperate to sell him this summer rather then lose him for free next season.
Given his status and performance levels, there is sure to be a bidding war for the Colombian this summer. In this piece, we shall discuss which four clubs might sign Rodriguez.
#4 Juventus
With Paulo Dybala reportedly set to leave Juventus in the summer, it is imperative that the club sign another world-class playmaker as his replacement, and the Italian champions see Rodriguez as an ideal replacement for the Argentine.
The club's talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has also given his blessing for the move to go ahead, with their cordial relationship from their days together at Real Madrid playing a role in the stamp of approval.
If signed, Rodriguez would team up with his international team-mate Juan Cuardrado as Juventus will attempt a shot at European glory again.
#3 Liverpool
This might seem like a less likely prospect, given the stability at Anfield. However, a closer look at Liverpool's play would reveal the lack of creativity in the middle of the park.
For all their industrialism, grit and tenacity, it is imperative to note that virtually all of the current Liverpool midfielders are similar type of players, who offer next to no threat in the opposition box on a regular basis.
Proof of this lies in the fact that beyond their much vaunted front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, no other player in the squad achieved double figures in goals, with James Milner (their designated penalty taker) being the next highest goalscorer with seven goals and six assists in all competitions, while Divock Origi's three-goal cameo in the Champions League was enough to see him tie with Milner for fourth spot on the goalscorers' chart.
Between Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Naby Keita, the quartet managed just six assists in all competitions, and this lack of creativity in the middle was augmented by full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who provided 25 assists in all competitions.
While Jurgen Klopp's men might have largely thrived since the departure of Philippe Coutinho, they have not really replaced the Brazilian, and this is a deficiency they need to address if they are to build on from their impressive displays in the 2018-2019 campaign. The club have realized as much, with reports indicating they are interested in a summer swoop for Rodriguez.
#2 Paris Saint-Germain
Given their obscene amounts of spending in recent years, it would not come as a major surprise if Paris Saint-Germain were to make a summer coup for Rodriguez. But in order not to run foul of FFP rules, the Ligue 1 champions would most likely have to sell one marquee player to facilitate this transfer.
On evidence of their shambolic showing on the European front last season, the midfield is a significant area of weakness for Thomas Tuchel's side, and it is one which he is keen to address.
This is where Rodriguez comes in, but seeing their need to sell and reduce their wage bill, it has been reported that the Colombian could be used in the deal to take Neymar to Real Madrid.
Neymar has failed to help the French giants to European glory and Kylian Mbappe has showed that he is more than capable of starring in the Brazilian's absence, and it could be in PSG's interest to facilitate this transfer.
#1 Manchester United
If transfer speculations are to be believed, Manchester United represent the most likely destination for Rodriguez this summer.
Real Madrid are known to have held a long-term interest in United's star midfielder Paul Pogba, but given the huge financial outlay involved in any move concerning the Frenchman, Los Blancos are planning to use three players as makeweights to lessen the financial cost of the deal.
Rodriguez is reportedly one of the three players Real Madrid want to offer Real Madrid for Pogba, and given the World Cup winner's inconsistencies and desire to leave Old Trafford, it could be in the Red Devils' interest to let him leave.
Manchester United are currently in dire straits and need great players such as Rodriguez to take them to the next level. But if the Colombian would want to be a part of an uncertain and haphazard project at Old Trafford remains to be seen.
