James: I want to stay at Madrid

James Rodriguez confirms he wants to stay at Real Madrid and ‘wants to succeed here.’ ‘I know the club had an €85m offer…’

The Colombia international had been mooted for a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer after a disappointing second season with Los Blancos, but he has told Marca his intention is to stay and prove himself.

“I will fight to earn my place in Madrid. That’s my dream. I will stay at Madrid, I want to succeed here. I know the club has received an €85m bid for me, but I’m not leaving,” the former Monaco midfielder said.

Marca adds however that James’ decision to stay at Madrid has had a knock-on effect to the club’s transfer business, as the money they were counting on to finance other signings – such as Andre Gomes or Paul Pogba – now isn’t there.

James had previously communicated to Madrid his intention to leave and it was for that reason Madrid were searching for a replacement, until James’ about-face.

Gomes didn’t want to wait for Madrid any longer and instead accepted Barcelona’s offer, while it’s reported elsewhere Zinedine Zidane has asked Pogba for time for Madrid to arrange the funds for his move from Juventus.

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