Pelldam's Blog

Having already sold Marcos Llorente to Atlético Madrid this summer, Real Madrid would rather not strengthen their city rivals yet further. James Rodríguez's future lies at either Napoli or Atlético Madrid. Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis confirmed the Serie A side's desire to sign James late last month, while the player has told Partenopei coach Carlo Ancelotti that he is keen to join him in Italy. In recent days, however, Atlético have rekindled their interest in the Real Madrid man. With the two clubs now seemingly in a straight fight to secure James' signature, the situation at the Bernabéu is as follows: having already sold Marcos Llorente to Los Rojiblancos, the club would rather not strengthen their city rivals any further, and would prefer that the Colombian moved to Naples. However, the problem is that the Italians want to take James to the Stadio San Paolo on a loan deal, while Madrid are only willing to countenance a permanent transfer - a state of affairs that appears to play into the hands of Atlético, who are ready to buy the 28-year-old outright.