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What's the story?
According to the reputed Spanish media outlet, Marca, Cristiano Ronaldo wants former Real Madrid teammate, James Rodriguez, to join him at Juventus.
The Colombian playmaker is currently into the last six months of his two-year-long loan-spell with Bayern Munich. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner wants to reunite with the Colombian in the approaching summer.
In case you didn't know..
Frustrated with the lack of playing time under former Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane, James Rodriguez chose to part ways with the Spanish giants in 2017. Los Blancos agreed on a €13 million loan deal with the Bavarians.
With only 743 minutes played this season, the former AS Monaco man has found himself choking at the Allianz Arena.
According to the report, Ronaldo has urged the Colombian to join him in Turin. The Portuguese forward is enjoying himself thoroughly in the Serie A and would thrive to improvise his gameplay and statistical numbers with the arrival of a playmaker of Rodriguez's stature.
The heart of the matter
During the first year of his career in Germany, the attacking-midfielder flourished under Jupp Heynckes and became an integral part of his lineup. However, since Niko Kovac took over the Allianz Arena duty, the 27-year-old midfielder has been out of favour.
The FIFA World Cup 2014 golden boot winner has made only 14 appearances under the Croatian tactician. However, he has scored three goals and set up another two in the run. James Rodriguez is clearly out of favour at the Allianz Arena and with Niko Kovac in charge, it is highly unlikely that the Bavarians would prefer to buy him after his loan deal expires. The Colombian has made it clear that he wants a move away from Bayern Munich in the approaching summer.
With two and a half year remaining in his contract with the Spanish outfit, it remains to see whether the La Liga giants would welcome him home or offload him in the summer.
Rumour rating: 7/10
A midfielder of James Rodriguez's stature would benefit any European team. However, with 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric approaching the latter stages of his career, James Rodriguez would be a long-term replacement for the Croatian.
On the other hand, if the Los Blancos sign Christian Eriksen, Juventus would be the perfect suitors for the Colombian with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack for the Bianconeri.
What's next?
Cristiano Ronaldo is enjoying life in Turin as the Portuguese is the current top-scorer in the Serie A with 17 goals and 6 assists registered to his name.
Ronaldo is celebrating his 34th birthday today and has shown no sign of ageing in the past few years. It remains to see whether the Portuguese is able to lure James Rodriguez to Turin or not. Isco Alarcon, who is struggling for playing time under Santiago Solari and Marcelo are two other possibilities.
