Any January transfer for Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez has been categorically ruled out by his agent Jorge Mendes following media reports.
The Colombian had hinted at a Bernabeu exit in the aftermath of his side’s Club World Cup victory over Kashima Antlers after stating he needed to be playing more first-team football and that might only be possible elsewhere.
This prompted speculation in the Spanish press that these comments had angered directors at the European champions who would facilitate a quick exit from the club to ensure no disruption of team spirit, however this now appears unlikely.
“James will not be leaving Madrid in January,” Mendes bluntly confirmed to AS, with the Madrid-based sports daily then reporting he was keen to knuckle down and fight for his place in the side.
Los Blancos would aim to recoup the majority of the €80m they spent to sign the 24-year-old from Monaco in 2014, but it now looks like no deal would occur until next summer at the earliest.
