Zinedine Zidane ‘doesn’t know’ James Rodriguez future

Zinedine Zidane admits he ‘does not know’ if James Rodriguez will remain at Real Madrid next season amid links with an exit.

The Colombian playmaker has been heavily linked with a permanent exit from Los Blancos this summer with both Napoli and Atleti said to be the leading candidates.

“I don't know if James is going to be in Madrid next season,” Zidane told reporters as cited by Marca.

“I'm not thinking about this situation now. I'm here thinking about the Audi Cup.”

The Frenchman attempted to quell concerns over a below-par pre-season for the club: “I have a great team, we just need to win a game. I am positive and nobody should be worried.

“We were better against Tottenham and what we have to do is improve every day. I'm not happy for the loss, but we've been better.

“We are here and the players are the ones I have. You don't have to go around it again. Until the end of August things can change. I trusted my players. It's true that the games have started badly, it's true. But we don't we will lose confidence because the year is very long.”

James has returned to Madrid following a two-year loan spell at the Bavarian club 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.

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