Patrick Rees
Jose Mourinho is all set to have the last laugh against Antonio Conte, as Express have claimed that he is ready to make move for Real Madrid’s want-away star James Rodriguez.
The 25-year-old Colombian international was a target for Manchester United even before he joined Real Madrid. His exhilarating performances in the 2014 World Cup earned him his famed move to the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving Manchester United completely red-faced.
His journey, however, has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride as several managerial changes has seen the Colombian being snubbed off a lot of game time. Hence, this time around, it is all but certain that he will be making a move, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain vying to acquire his signature.
Having said that, several media outlets have quoted that Manchester United see themselves a bit closer in the negotiation and that the Colombian himself wants to work under Jose Mourinho. Furthermore, the interest has been made public, but no official offers from any club has been received by the Galacticos. The reason being; Real Madrid’s whopping £70million price tag on his head.
Madrid’s valuation of the 25-year-old seems a bit logical as well, having acquired James for a reported fee of £71m back in 2014. They won’t be only looking to recoup the amount, but they will also be hoping to gather a bit of capital to fund Kylian Mbappe’s move to the club. The young Frenchman, who will only sign if Monaco’s £100m valuation is met, has already spoken fortunes about Real Madrid, and if not this window, Real are well expected to launch an offer next season. And Real cannot really keep James for another season only due to the fact that his value will eventually decrease by the end of the next season.
Chelsea, on their part, have already lost out on Romelu Lukaku, who was expected to be a replacement for Diego Costa. Hence, should the deal go through in United’s favour for the second time running, Conte will be left furious.
To add further to it, Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express has said that United are edging closer to get the Colombian to Old Trafford: “James has been a United target for the last two years, and it now appears that their patience will finally be rewarded,” Fissler reported.
