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5 possible new clubs for Real Madrid outcast James Rodriguez

By Harry De Cosemo

TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - AUGUST 09: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrate with the trophy after theUEFA Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the Lerkendal Stadion on August 9, 2016 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images)
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - AUGUST 09: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrate with the trophy after theUEFA Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the Lerkendal Stadion on August 9, 2016 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images) /
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Andre Villas-Boas (R), the newly announced football coach for Shanghai SIPG FC, holds a jersey with his name beside general manager Sui Guoyang during a press conference in Shanghai on November 4, 2016.Chinese side Shanghai SIPG named the former Chelsea boss Villas-Boas as their new coach on November 4, replacing ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson whose departure from the big-spending club was announced earlier. / AFP / Johannes EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)
Andre Villas-Boas (R), the newly announced football coach for Shanghai SIPG FC, holds a jersey with his name beside general manager Sui Guoyang during a press conference in Shanghai on November 4, 2016.Chinese side Shanghai SIPG named the former Chelsea boss Villas-Boas as their new coach on November 4, replacing ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson whose departure from the big-spending club was announced earlier. / AFP / Johannes EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. Shanghai SIPG

Chinese football clubs are fast-becoming the new pantomime villains of soccer. Money is a huge part of the game and the rise of the Far Eastern power only serves to confirm that.

Over the past year or so, a number of big name players have moved to the Chinese Super League because of the huge transfer fees and wages they can pay. The financial clout runs right through the league, with even some second division sides able to lure some stars to their ranks.

The likes of Ramires, Gervinho and Alex Teixeira all ply their trade in China now, but there is one specific reason why Shanghai could be desirable for James, beyond the astronomical money he would be paid.

His former boss at FC Porto Andre Villas-Boas has taken over at SIPG, and an old teammate from his days in Portugal, Hulk, is there too. It seems inevitable that the names making the move over there will only get bigger, but James Rodriguez would represent a breakthrough for the league and nation as a whole.

Most players, especially at the age of 25, would look at their careers and think they have more to offer the game in Europe. There is an argument that pioneering the growth of the game elsewhere can be rewarding, but it definitely would be a shame to see James leave the big stage.

That said, there is definitely some persuasion room for Villas-Boas and Hulk here.

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