Reports: Real Madrid consider selling Manchester United target Di Maria sale to fund James Rodriguez move

Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez celebrate after the Round of 16 football match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro

Real Madrid are set to go ahead with a £40 million bid for Colombian hot shot James Rodriguez this summer according to the Daily Mail, but will only do so once they have flogged Angel Di Maria to raise the funds for him.

Di Maria has signalled an intent to leave Real Madrid after feeling his importance to the club has been unappreciated in some quarters, with the club pursuing more established household names that could marginalise his playing time for Los Blancos.

He was widely expected to exit the club last summer upon the arrival of Gareth Bale in a world record deal, but after another fine season went unrecognised by Real once again, he is now in favour of leaving Santiago Bernabeu, with Manchester United believed to be heavily interested in signing Di Maria.

Monaco however are another club that have shown interest in giving him an escape route, and with Real hoping to sign Rodriguez from them this summer, they could look to have the Argentine international included in any deal to snare away their Colombian star.

Rodriguez has admitted a desire to play in La Liga after lighting up the World Cup to lead the race for the Golden Boot, and having claimed a preference for Real, the European champions are set to push through a big money move, once they have found a new home for Di Maria.