Man Utd in talks with James Rodriguez over transfer from Real Madrid with ‘contract already in place’
MANCHESTER UNITED are holding talks with Real Madrid flop James Rodriguez over a potential £35million move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have long been interested in the Colombian playmaker but reports in Sport suggest a deal is edging closer.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest United news
Reports earlier this week revealed that Rodriguez's super agent Jorge Mendes had been locked in talks with the United hierarchy.
The Real Madrid ace is out of contract in 2021 and is likely to be shipped out having made just 63 La Liga appearances since moving to the Bernabeu in 2014.
This season he returned to the Spanish capital after two years on loan at Bayern Munich but has only appeared 13 times having struggled with injury.
It is thought that Rodriguez is aware he is "not liked" by Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and is therefore exploring his options.
Reportedly United attempted to land the signature of Rodriguez back in 2017 - even agreeing personal terms - but the deal collapsed after the two clubs could not come to an agreement.
The Red Devils could use Rodriguez as part of a swap deal for French star Paul Pogba, with speculation continuing to mount surrounding the World Cup winner's future.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side could land their man on a permanent deal for less than £35m and suggest a "contract is in place" for the player.
Los Blancos paid Monaco £63m for the Colombia midfielder in 2014 after he won the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Brazil.
Although United could sign Rodriguez on the cheap, his wage demands will still burn a hole in the pocket, with the player believed to currently be on £130,000 a week.