James Rodriguez drops HUGE Manchester United transfer hint

BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA - MARCH 29: James Rodriguez of Colombia reacts after missing a chance to score during a match between Colombia and Ecuador as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Roberto Melendez Stadium on March 29, 2016 in Barranquilla, Colombia. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/LatinContent/Getty Images)
BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA - MARCH 29: James Rodriguez of Colombia reacts after missing a chance to score during a match between Colombia and Ecuador as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Roberto Melendez Stadium on March 29, 2016 in Barranquilla, Colombia. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/LatinContent/Getty Images) /
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Manchester United fans finally have a reason to get excited about the possibility of signing Real Madrid star James Rodriguez

For most of the summer transfer season, Manchester United fans haven’t had an actual reason to think that signing James Rodriguez was a realistic possibility. The Colombian star’s latest real estate interests have changed all of that in an instant.

Don Balon reports that James has put his home in Madrid up for rent and has begun looking at real estate in the same neighborhood as Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. That’s surely cause for United fans to start to realistically get their hopes up.

This news comes in sharp contrast to recent reports claiming that Zinedine Zidane had made the decision to hang on to James no matter what this summer. The talented midfielder arrived at Real Madrid with sky-high expectations after his brilliant 2014 World Cup. Unfortunately, he’s failed to really carve out a home in Los Blancos’ starting 11 since his arrival.

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James has been on the world stage so long that it’s easy to forget that he’s still just 24-years-old. He is just now entering the prime of his career. His standout play for Colombia in this year’s Copa America also serve as a reminder of just how dominant he can be.

That’s why Manchester United and Jose Mourinho are so anxious to free him from the shackles of his tenure at Real Madrid. The Special One knows that he can unlock the rest of his squad’s attacking players. United’s stars like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial should be desperate for their club to bring James into the fold.

On the other hand, it seems odd that Real Madrid would choose to give up on James at this point in his career. Zidane and company surely know that Cristiano Ronaldo can’t patrol the middle of the side’s attack forever. His game is likely going to begin to decline sooner rather than later. James seems like a logical successor to the Portuguese star at the forefront of the La Liga giants’ attack.

That does mean that Manchester United won’t find James to be a cheap acquisition. Rumor has it that the Red Devils are going to need to stump up a fee of at least 50 million pounds if they want to bring the Colombian talisman to Old Trafford. Fortunately for Mourinho and the United fan base, Ed Woodward won’t hesitate to sanction a bid of that amount for a player with such big name recognition around the world.

Related Story: James found his form in Copa America

Manchester United fans shouldn’t run out and purchase a James kit quite yet, but they may be fortunate enough to see him play his home football at Old Trafford next season.