Chelsea are reported to be in talks with James Rodriguez
In recent days, there have been suggestions that up to six major European clubs are trying to sign Colombian James Rodriguez.
Having been left out of the Real Madrid squad for the Champions League final win over Juventus there is clearly no place for James at the Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane.
On Sunday, AS report that Chelsea have taken a clear lead to sign James Rodriguez.
So much so, that Real Madrid have given James permission to speak with Chelsea to push through a deal.
Chelsea tried to sign James in January
On the face of it, James would not appear to be a player that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would covet.
But, AS report that the Blues tried to sign James last January, when Oscar left for China.
James decided to stay at Real Madrid but is now being lined up by Chelsea as a key player for next season.
Antonio Conte decided he didn’t want Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas and had targeted Alvaro Morata and James.
Chelsea look to have lost out to Manchester United for Morata, the Blues are confident they will sign the Colombian.
70-80 million euros
Despite the fact Chelsea are in talks with James, AS confirm that an agreement has not been struck between Real Madrid and the Premier League winners.
A fee of 70-80 million euros in expected for James Rodriguez.
Real Madrid value James at 80 million euros and will use the cash from this sale and Morata’s to fund a move for Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe .
Bayern Munich and PSG have also been linked with James in recent days.
James Rodriguez will end his 2016/2017 season when Colombia play Cameroon on Tuesday in an international friendly.
The Colombian playmaker would be a like-for-like replacement for Eden Hazard, who will miss the start of next season with an ankle injury.
