Why Wolves should plot a summer swoop for James Rodriguez

According to El Desmarque (h/t The Sun), Wolves are considering a stunning a £71million summer swoop for Real Madrid attacker James Rodriguez. The 28-year-old has failed to become a regular at Real Madrid since returning from a loan spell with Bayern Munich.

He has started just 13 appearances across all competitions this season as manager Zinedine Zidane has preferred other players in the attacking areas.

Injuries have played a major role in limiting his game at Santiago Bernabeu, with the Colombian keen to leave the Spanish giants at the end of the season. Although Real would prefer to recoup as much as £71million for James, super-agent Jorge Mendes could bring down the asking price, the report adds. (h/t The Sun)

Wolves have performed very well this season and are currently fighting for a top-four spot. They are sixth in the table, five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. As far as their European adventure is concerned, including qualifiers, Nuno Espirito Santo’s boys are in Europa League’s Round of 16 and due to face Olympiacos over two legs.

Raul Jimenez has been Wolves’ primary source of goals this season, bagging 22 goals across all competitions. The Mexican has been ably helped by Adama Traore and Diogo Jota—the duo contributing with 21 goals combined. Jota seems to have found some found in the business end of the season, scoring nine goals in last five appearances in all competitions.

To inject some quality in his forward department to make a second-half push for a top-four spot, Nuno signed Daniel Podence and Leonardo Campana in January. However, the Wanderers boss should definitely a creative player to his ranks in the summer to support the likes of Jota, Jimenez and Traore next season.

To that end, James Rodriguez would be a smart fit at Molineux. James has won one La Liga title and two Champions League titles since arriving at Real Madrid. But injury problems and a massive dip in form over the last two years have significantly hampered his progress.

The 2014 World Cup’s Golden Boot winner suffered a knee ligament injury at the end of October, limiting him to just four La Liga games for the club this season. In fact, he has not featured in a single minute of league action since October’s 1-0 loss at Real Mallorca.

James’ only game-time since has been a starting role in three Copa del Rey fixtures for Real, while he has not been handed any minutes during either La Liga or the Champions League in nearly five months.

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At the age of 28, the Colombian international has entered the prime stages of his career and must leave Real at the end of the season to reignite his career. Under the watchful eyes of Nuno, he could get his career back on track. In return, Wolves would get a top playmaker who can potentially combine with the likes of Jimenez, Jota and Traore in the final third next term.

Verdict

If James can prove his fitness and keep himself away from injuries, he would turn out to be a fantastic acquisition for Wolves.