CHELSEA are reportedly leading Manchester United in the race for Real Madrid star James Rodriguez.
The Colombian playmaker, 25, is expected to leave Los Blancos this summer after making just 13 starts in their title-winning campaign.
Man United were believed to be favourites for Rodriguez’s signature, although SunSport exclusively revealed they could pull their interest due to strong interest from other clubs.
And one of those teams appears to be rivals Chelsea, with Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda telling TV show El Chiringuito de Jugones – via OKDiario – that Antonio Conte is now in pole position.
The Premier League champs are keen on landing another attacking midfielder, and SunSport also understands they are interested in West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini too.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK
Today we launch a Together With Manchester appeal – to raise money for families of the victims of the Arena bomb.
News UK, publisher of The Sun, has made a corporate donation of £100,000 to the appeal.
Here’s how you can show your support.
ONLINE: www.justgiving.com/TogetherWithManchester
TEXT: Text TWMC50 and amount to 70070 – eg TWMC50 £5 (you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10)
But Inda believes talks for Rodriguez are well underway and he is veering towards a Stamford Bridge switch, despite Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo trying to convince him of a Santiago Bernabeu stay.
Further reports claim that United are instead focused on trying to land Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
MOST READ IN SPORT
The French ace has talked up an Old Trafford move in recent days and will be paid a whopping £12million-a-year should he actually make the move.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will allegedly look to replace Rodriguez with former star Angel Di Maria, who is currently thriving at Paris Saint-Germain.
Leave a comment