Juventus line up James transfer if return to Real Madrid not on
The 'Vecchia Signora' are reported to be very interested in reuniting the Colombian with Cristiano Ronaldo but Solari is keen on return.
Bayern Munich will not activate the purchase option they have as part of loan deal for James Rodriguez, and this means that a return to parent club Real Madrid is a likely outcome. Reports in Italy, however, suggest that Juventus have a close eye on developments.
Madrid or Juventus options for James
The Colombian star, in principle anyway, will rejoin the ranks at the Santiago Bernabéu in the summer of 2019, as per the conditions of his two-year loan agreement between Los Blancos and the Bundesliga giants. New coach in the Spanish capital Santiago Solari has indicated that he will give the go-ahead for this return, to use James as part of his reinforcements for next season.
However, Italian daily Corriere dello Sport has reported that Juventus want to take the services of the playmaker to Serie A, a move that would fulfill a dream of their president, Andrea Agnelli. The Vecchia Signora had tried to sign Rodriguez at the beginning of last season, but in the end it was Germnany that proved the chosen destination.
Nobody at Bayern has relayed to either James or his agent, Jorge Mendes, that they are not counting on him. That said, there are a number of reasons why James moving on would be a good idea - not least his poor relationship with coach Niko Kovac, and that has put an expiration date on the current stage of his career. And far from it being bad news for the Colombian, it is instead another opportunity to fulfill his own dream of starring at Madrid.
Both Solari and Florentino Pérez are admirers and would look favourably on a Beranbéu return, but whether it happens or not may depend on decisions over the futures of Marco Asensio and Isco. For James to pull on the famous white shirt once again, at least one of the other two will need to move on.
Juventus eye Cristiano-James reunion
It is with this decision in mind that Juventus may be able to reunite Cristiano Ronaldo and James. There is a good relationship between Mendes and the Italian club, so the presence of the Portuguese star could assist in the operation.
In fact, as we know, James has been recovering from injury in Madrid with Joaquín Juan, a physio who also treats Cristiano, and was spotted by AS on Sunday night in a restaurant in the Spanish capital's city centre.
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