James open to Real Madrid return as Bayern loan nears end

Joe Wright

James open to Real Madrid return as Bayern loan nears end image

James Rodriguez has suggested he would be happy to return to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The Colombia international's two-year loan with the Bundesliga champions ends in June and Bayern are yet to take up their option to sign him permanently for €42 million (£37m/$48m).

Although the 27-year-old has started their last five games in all competitions, his future has been the subject of speculation during what has proved to be a more difficult second season in Germany under Niko Kovac.

The Bayern boss said last year that he expects James to stay permanently, but he has since warned that the attacking midfielder is playing for his future at the club, but other clubs have emerged as potential destinations. Arsenal have recently been linked to the attacking midfielder, while his father talked up the prospect of him joining Juventus in the next transfer window and insisted that "he has many offers".

A return to Madrid has also been touted recently and, while James insists his focus is on Bayern's objectives this term, he concedes the Spanish capital is still very much his home.

"I have to think hard about what I'm doing [in terms of my future]," he told Cadena SER's El Larguero. "In Madrid, I have everything: my house, people who love me.

"We will have to see what happens, but at the moment I have a contract with Bayern Munich. I just want to finish the season and we'll see what happens.

"I keep in touch with some Real Madrid players."

James was speaking after playing in Bayern's 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Anfield.

James joined Madrid from Monaco in 2014 and made 111 appearances in all competitions before making the switch to Bayern, where he has featured 57 times and scored 11 goals.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.