James Rodriguez would be a standout player in the Premier League

Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is being linked with a number of Premier League sides

Another summer has rolled around and once again, Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez is hot property.

Unlike the last couple of summers, it actually looks like the Colombian will be leaving Los Blancos this time around.

It seems every club top European club and their dog is interested in signing the former Monaco star this summer. The world is truly his oyster.

Not gone to plan for James in Madrid

James Rodriguez arrived in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2014 on the back of an outstanding World Cup with Colombia. The attacking midfielder was one of the stars of the tournament in Brazil.

An almost inevitable big move materialised. Regarded as a player with the potential to be the next Galactico, things really have not worked out as planned for the undoubtedly talented star at arguably the world’s biggest club.

James has struggled to nail down a regular starting place for Los Blancos. Last season he has made just 22 appearances in La Liga, scoring eight goals and producing six assists.

However, in a squad that also houses the likes Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata he was always going to struggle for game time. Real Madrid leaving him out of the squad for their Champions League win over Juventus must have been the last straw for James.

At Real Madrid, he is just one of a galaxy of stars. A move elsewhere would likely to elevate the Colombian’s star status.

Premier League interest

James Rodriguez is now reportedly a transfer target for a host of top Premier League team, with a mooted price tag of around £50million. Manchester United are the favourites to sign the attacking midfielder at odds of 21/10.

However, one tabloid suggests that English champions Chelsea are in pole position to nab the star this summer. Then again, another suggests that Arsenal have emerged as contenders for his signature this summer.

Judging by Arsene Wenger’s spending habits of the past, it seems unlikely that the north London club would go toe-to-toe with the other English clubs mentioned above. French giants PSG and former Italian powerhouses AC Milan and Inter are also reportedly trailing the star.

The Colombian has more clubs after him than a top DJ. Anyway, purely out of self-interest the Premier League would be a good move for James this summer. I do believe he has the ability and temperament to make it in the English top-flight.

If he moved to a Premier League club, the attacking midfielder would be a star again. He would also likely to regain his confidence, as the uncertainty at Real Madrid must not have been great for his mental state.

Rodriguez is in a very good position

While James Rodriguez’s Real Madrid future looks bleak, the Colombian is in a very good position this summer. Clubs are reportedly queuing up to sign the attacking midfielder. He has a big choice of clubs if as expected he moves on this summer.

At Real Madrid, Rodriguez is a bit-part player and his talent is wasted. However, in any other team in most leagues, I do believe he would thrive and become the star he promised to be earlier in his career.

The attacking midfielder may not like the fact that he is surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu Stadium. However, he will know that now is the time to move on and become an influential player at another club.

At 25 years old, he still has time for a sparkling career at both club and international level. For him to reach his potential, the Colombian international needs to move out of the shadows of Ronaldo and co. and forge a career elsewhere.

I hope that that will mean the attacking midfielder will head to the Premier League this summer. I do believe the English top-flight needs players of the calibre of James Rodriguez.

Will James Rodriguez be plying his trade in the Premier League next season?