Report: James Rodriguez wanted by Newcastle United, £28m fee mentioned

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Newcastle United are reportedly joining the race for Real Madrid outcast James Rodriguez, according to reports. 

With the Magpies set to be taken over by a Saudi-backed consortium, plenty of big names have been linked with a move to St James’ Park. Indeed, it has felt like a matter of time before the Colombian’s name joined that list. 

Now, according to both Caracol and Goal, Rodriguez is on the radar of the potential new Newcastle owners. 

Caracol suggest that Newcastle are open to the signature of the Real star, who has fallen out of favour with Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu. A price-tag of €32 million (£28m) has been mentioned for a player who has also been linked with Everton and several other Premier League teams this summer. 

Goal is reporting much the same, suggesting Newcastle are indeed investigating a possible deal but that Real Madrid are more likely to want a fee in the region of €40 million (£35m). 

Of course, Rodriguez is a tremendous talent who blew the world away at the 2014 World Cup. Former Newcastle cult hero Faustino Asprilla has not forgotten about his talent, telling Blu Radio last month, (as relayed by Goal) that his countryman ‘could play anywhere’ given his talent.

“James needs to go where he will play, a club where the coach has expressly asked for him and wants him in his team. Not where he will be an impulse signing, bought on a whim by the president. With his talent, he could play anywhere.”

Newcastle United fans will rightly take this latest report with a pinch of salt, as any top player currently out of favour at their current club appears to be linked with a money-spinning Tyneside switch at the moment. 

But should the club begin to press on with a potential move for the midfield dynamo, fans at St James’ Park would be right to get excited.