James Rodriguez has returned to Real Madrid training for the first time in two years with a stay at the club not ruled out.
Marca have outlined how the Colombian playmaker, who has spent the past two years on loan at Bayern Munich, may yet stay at Los Blancos this summer.
James looked to be all set for Napoli, but their reluctance to pay €42m for a permanent deal left an opportunity for Atletico Madrid to line up an audacious move.
However, Marca then reported on Sunday how there was growing pessimism at Los Rojiblancos that a deal could be reached this summer.
Madrid are said to be unwilling to sell the player to a direct rival but neither do they want to keep him, while Napoli’s idea of a loan move before a permanent signing is not to Madrid’s wishes – so there appears to be total deadlock.
James has returned to Madrid following a two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich having started just 13 Bundesliga matches this campaign and is said to want more regular first-team football.
The former Porto and Monaco star spent three seasons at Los Blancos, helping them to two European titles, but started just 13 La Liga games in his final campaign.
Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti brought James from Monaco to the Spanish capital back in 2014 and worked with him again during his time with Bundesliga giants Bayern.
