Chelsea can sign attacker for €15m less than they’re willing to pay, deal at €75m

 

On Monday we covered entertaining claims from Spain that Chelsea were willing to pay €90m to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid.

It was Catalan newspaper Sport making the claims, and therefore we had our suspicions that they were just winding up their foes in the Spanish capital.

Sport said Antonio Conte had an extra €150m to spend at Chelsea before the transfer window closes, and so they’d be prepared to pay €90m for James.

It made little sense, Chelsea have more important priorities ahead, especially bringing in a central defender to help Conte adjust his formation should he so wish.

However, Madrid based newspaper Marca say in their Tuesday edition James could be heading away from Zinedine Zidane’s squad. Attitude, form and the emergence of others are all combining to make James sellable.

Marca say Real Madrid would be looking to get €75m for James, handily €15m less than Sport say Chelsea are willing to pay. The London are picked as one of a handful who are interested and who could afford the transfer.

There’s probably little truth in this but it may create some fun between now and when the window closes.

With Cesc Fabregas being linked to Real Madrid, surely it’s only a matter of time before talk of a player plus cash deal.