According to a recent report by Spanish newspaper El Confidencial (via the Daily Mirror), Real Madrid are prepared to slap a higher price-tag on James Rodriguez if Bayern Munich does not choose to buy him permanently for a fee around £50m when his loan contract expires at the end of this campaign. The Colombian international is currently playing on loan at the Allianz Arena but has struggled to find consistency on the pitch this season.
The same report has also stated that Liverpool are interested in securing his services, but it could cost them up to £70m if they want to bring the South American sensation to Merseyside. The Mirror has also mentioned that Rodriguez wants to return to the Spanish capital, but Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as the new Galacticos manager could wreck his plans.
The Colombian winger recently suffered the agony of being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League when Liverpool beat Bayern Munich with a 3-1 scoreline on Wednesday night.
His performance in the game was lacklustre and was subject to a lot of criticism from pundits and fans alike. So it is no wonder that his future is up in smokes as neither his parent club nor his loan club are ready to keep him permanently beyond this summer.
This recent development could give Jurgen Klopp an opportunity to snap him up ahead of the new season, but it is hard to understand why he would want to do so, especially if Los Blancos continue to demand around £70m for his services.
Klopp would be better of spending that kind of money on a more proven and younger talent as evidenced by his recent acquisitions over the past couple of transfer windows. It is true that the Merseyside outfit could benefit from adding a player in a similar mould of Rodriguez as their midfield has often lacked creativity and invention during this campaign.
However, there is no need for Liverpool to take a chance on the Colombian especially when they are trying to compete with Manchester City, a team that has some of the most consistent players in Europe. Rodriguez seems like he is past his best and his numbers speak for itself. He has scored only four goals in 22 appearances for Bayern this term in all competitions. So it would be best for Klopp to opt against a move for the Madrid outcast.
