Real Madrid tell James he’s staying at the Bernabeu
Following on from the 7-3 defeat to cross-city rivals Atletico and the injury to Marco Asensio, Real Madrid president Florentino Peréz has told James that he won’t be leaving this season.
According to Spanish sports newspaper AS the humiliating 7-3 loss to Atletico Madrid and the serious injury to Marco Asensio Real Madrid president Florentino Peréz has decided not to sell the Colombian international despite manager Zinedine Zidane’s desire to let him leave.
The 28-year-old returned to training at Los Blancos’ Valdebebas training centre on Monday following his holiday after the Copa America.
James spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich but is now back in Madrid following the German club’s decision not to execute their purchase option.
Before the injury and big loss, James looked set to join either Atletico Madrid or Serie A powerhouse Napoli.
Both the La Liga side and the Italian club had stated publicly that they were interested in signing the Colombian. AS suggests that James favoured a move to Napoli where he would be reunited with former manager Carlo Ancelotti. According to AS Ancelotti had spoken to James on several occasions telling him that he wanted him to play for Napoli next season.
Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, put his foot on the brakes regarding a transfer indicating that he would rather negotiate a loan rather than paying Real Madrid’s 40 million euro valuation.
Atlético Madrid CEO shows interest in James
While Real Madrid and Napoli were talking about a possible deal Atletico came into the picture just before the USA derby with, Atlético Madrid CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, acknowledging the club’s interest.
“I know that James doesn’t want to continue at Real Madrid. I know that Real Madrid doesn’t want him to continue, but there have to be many circumstances to make it possible. It would be very nice, but it depends a lot on the president of Madrid,” said the Rojiblancos director.
Following that statement, Zidane’s team was put to the sword by a very impressive Atletico attack which saw star striker Diego Costa score four goals before getting sent off.
What is surprising here is that Real Madrid now has two players in James and Gareth Bale, who do not fit in with Zidane’s plans for the team yet he is now being forced to keep them.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Perez even insisted that they get regular playing time.
This is all very disappointing for the Frenchman, as the man he wants playing at the Bernabeu is French World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
Pogba wants to come to Madrid and Manchester United are willing to sell, the only problem is the £150 United are asking and the fact Zidane already has a star-studded bench of players with big salaries.
Nothing is ever written in stone so let’s just wait and see what happens before the transfer window closes on August 8th.
