Atletico Madrid are reportedly set to target Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez instead of wantaway Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Atletico Madrid favour a move for James Rodriguez over Christian Eriksen. The Real Madrid midfielder, who is also being tailed by Napoli, is seen as a cheaper alternative to the wantaway Tottenham playmaker by Los Rojiblancos.
James Rodriguez has endured a bittersweet half-a-decade period since sealing a dream move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2014. Of those five years, the Colombian star has spent just three seasons with Los Blancos, leaving the club to join Bayern Munich on a two-year loan deal.
The player enjoyed a resurgence of sorts at Allianz Arena, but the Bavarians did not exercise their option to buy him. With Zinedine Zidane, under whom he saw his stock plunder, returning to the helm at Real Madrid, Rodriguez is not expected to remain at the Bernabeu much longer. And, the Merengues’ local rivals Atletico Madrid have reportedly been looking to pounce on the situation.
Like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid have been revamping their squad this summer, with major changes being made in every department. As far as attack is concerned, Joao Felix has arrived at the Wanda Metropolitano while Alvaro Morata’s move has been made permanent.
But, with Angel Correa reportedly set to join Antoine Griezmann on his way out of the Spanish capital, the need to make more investment has propped up. To that end, Atletico Madrid identified James Rodriguez and Christian Eriksen as their two ideal targets, as per the report.
With both players capable of playing on either side of the midfield as well as in central areas, a move for either makes sense. But, MARCA suggest that it is James who has become the priority for Atletico Madrid, with Christian Eriksen, who has also been linked with Real Madrid, being deemed too expensive.
While Eriksen could cost up to €70 million, despite having just one year left on his contract with Tottenham, Los Rojiblancos will need to stump up just €40 million to swoop James Rodriguez away from Real Madrid. Add to it the fact that the Colombian international will take little time to settle in at the Wanda Metropolitano only adds to the allure for Atletico Madrid.
For now, all that remains clear is that James Rodriguez is set to leave Real Madrid this summer. With Napoli no longer seeming to be in the running for the 28-year-old, it now remains to be seen if Atletico Madrid can seal the deal for him, having identified him as the preferred target over Christian Eriksen.
