Reports: Real Madrid Want To Sell James Rodriguez

Real Madrid are reportedly looking to sell James Rodriguez to help fund other transfers

How often do we hear rumors about Real Madrid players being sold off to other clubs? If it is not Cristiano Ronaldo being eyed by PSG or Gareth Bale to Manchester United, it is Karim Benzema off to Arsenal or Keylor Navas off to anywhere else after they bring in David De Gea.

This time however, the rumors are beginning to swirl around James Rodriguez. The Colombian international won over the hearts of football fans with his incredible display at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and earned himself a big money transfer to Real Madrid.

The club paid a reported fee of €80 million for his services from AS Monaco making him the fourth most expensive player ever and the most expensive Colombian player. Rodriguez was lauded as another Galactico and was even given the iconic number 10 shirt at the club, a sign that they meant to keep him for long haul and make him another face of the squad.

While impressive when playing, Rodriguez has had trouble staying fit and has suffered injuries to his foot and leg muscles in both years he has been with the club. The midfielder still managed to score 17 goals last season and has notched a further seven during this campaign along with 16 and eight assists respectively.

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At this point his production is not the issue but rather the value of the other players around him that may see Rodriguez sold to another club. He is obviously producing when playing and scoring goals at a fine rate for an attacking midfielder but Real and their fans are notoriously fickle.

According to Spanish pundit Guillem Balague, the club will sell James because they are unable to sell Ronaldo. He said in a Sky Sports Q and A:

"“Now that it looks like Cristiano cannot find a team to buy him, and Real Madrid cannot find a team to sell Ronaldo to, they have to look for alternatives to finance the new signings they plan to make. So, as a consequence Real Madrid want to sell James.”"

The logic is sound and Real Madrid have sold off players before for financial reasons so it could happen to James. What makes it unlikely is the massive fee that the club have paid for him in the past and the number of other players they could sell that are not nearly as talented or as important as James can be.

Here are some of his best goals showcasing that world-class talent:

Players like Isco and Jese could be sold off for inflated fees to English clubs that are suddenly flush with cash and they can also sell players to the Chinese Super League. Finances are a primary concern for clubs, even ones as big as Real, but there are other avenues to restock the war chests than selling one of the best players in the world.

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