Chelsea put off by Real Madrid's €70m valuation of James Rodríguez - reports
The British press affirm that Real Madrid's asking price for the Colombian is too high by Chelsea's estimations, and that Rodriguez would not fit into Antonio Conte's squad anyway. Juventus-Real Madrid live
Chelsea are not prepared to meet the €70m asking fee that Real Madrid want for James Rodríguez, according to reports in the UK press.
James is rumoured to be set for a departure to the Premier League in January, or possibly more likely during the summer due to Real’s winter transfer window ban, after reportedly applying for a UK visa earlier this week in Colombia. That story followed the midfielder’s comments last weekend that he was prepared to listen to offers after falling out of favour in the Spanish capital.
Price not right for Chelsea
However Chelsea, one of the favourites to land James’ signature, are said to be put off by Madrid’s valuation of the player, who they bought from French side Monaco in 2014 for €75m. Suggestions are that the Blues would also find it difficult to accommodate the Colombian in coach Antonio Conte’s preferred system and the because of already strong competition in the squad.
A more suitable match for Rodríguez could be at Manchester United. José Mourinho is looking for an attacking midfielder to occupy the position between Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and James would seem to fit that bill.