Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to ‘fight’ with Everton for the signing of Real Madrid’s James Rodríguez this summer.
That’s according to Defensa Central, who claim Wolves are interested in helping the Colombian escape his current dire circumstances at the Bernabeu.
The website reports that the midfielder is keen to leave Real Madrid this summer having found himself increasingly out of the picture under Zinedine Zidane.
The 28-year-old has managed just 13 appearances in all competitions so far, with his last league appearance coming back in October.
His situation is ‘more and more delicate’, and his entourage have now told super-agent, Jorge Mendes, to ‘prepare the machinery’ for a move.
Wolves are one of the clubs who are interested, but they are unwilling to match Real Madrid’s asking price of €50m and instead eyeing up a deal worth €15-20m ‘at most’. That price tag would allow them to pay the midfielder similar wages to what he earns at Madrid.
Everton are also interested, with it believed the two clubs will ‘fight’ it out for his signature in the summer.
Rodríguez, for his part, isn’t interested in where he ends up next, he simply wants somewhere he can ‘enjoy playing football again.’
That means Champions League football is not a requirement, although Wolves may be able to offer that anyway given they’re currently only five points outside the top four.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, ‘will not put any obstacles’ in the midfielder’s way as they need to free up space in the squad if they want to add a midfielder themselves this summer.
However, with such a discrepancy between their asking price and the fee Wolves want to pay, there will likely need to be plenty of negotiation for a move to happen.
A move to Wolves, though, makes plenty of sense for Rodríguez. Not only does Mendes, via Gestifute, represent the midfielder but he also has a tonne of influence at Molineux, so the super-agent can ensure the midfielder gets exactly what he wants from the club.
Where and how he would fit into Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is up for debate, but there’s no denying they play an exciting, forward-thinking brand of football that could reinvigorate the 28-year-old.
The finances are also unlikely to be an issue, with Wolves’ owners committed to pushing them forward. Couple those with the possibility of European football and it makes them an attractive proposition all round.
