da pinnacle： According to reports in Spanish publication AS, Chelsea are in the hunt to sign out-of-favour Real Madrid star James Rodriguez this summer.
What’s the word, then?
da supremo： Well, Blues manager Antonio Conte is looking to strengthen this squad this summer to ensure that his side regain their Premier League title, as well as competing in the Champions League as they return to the group stages following a one-season absence.
The Italian boss is understood to have told Spanish duo Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas that they are surplus to requirements and wants to bring in Real duo Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata as their replacements.
With the La Liga champions looking to sign Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe before the start of next season, they are willing to cash in on the Colombian, but want a fee of between €70m-80m (approximately £62m-£70m).
Would Chelsea be willing to pay that?
If the Blues want to sign their transfer targets this summer, then yes they probably would be.
Of course we all know the financial backing the club has through owner Roman Abramovich, and he will want to support Conte to ensure that Chelsea have the best possible chance of winning the Premier League and Champions League next season.
However, they may feel that £70m is too much for a player that hasn’t even been a regular for Real recently.
Why is he unwanted by Real?
The 25-year-old moved to the Bernabeu following an outstanding personal 2014 World Cup campaign with Colombia, but despite an impressive first season for the La Liga giants things have gone downhill since Zinedine Zidane took over as manager in 2015.
Rodriguez made just 32 appearances in all competitions last season and was left out of the squad for the Champions League final success against Juventus, which looks to have sealed his fate.
Would he be a good signing for Chelsea?
If he can recapture the form that saw him score six goals at the 2014 World Cup and 17 goals in his first season for Real, then there is no doubt that he could bring a lot of attacking quality to this Chelsea side.
Able to play through the middle or out wide, the 25-year-old would also provide some much needed competition for Eden Hazard and Pedro, as well as allowing Conte to switch up his preferred 3-4-3 formation when required.