Real Madrid starJames Rodriguez has been offered to a series of Premier League clubs after being told by the European champions that he was free to leave the club, according to theMail.
It is understood that the Colombian prefers a move to Chelsea over the likes of Manchester United and Serie A clubInter Milan - who have also been linked with a move for the player - and that a transfer away from Madrid is currently being put together by super-agent Jorge Mendes.
According to Colombian newspaper @ELTIEMPO, James RodrÃguez has spent today at the British embassy in Bogotá sorting out a British visa. pic.twitter.com/edLQXX3Ib2
The Blues are expected to have money to spend in the January transfer window given the obscene amount of cash they're expected to generate from the sale of Oscar to the Chinese Super League, and they're now looking for a replacement. The former Porto and Monaco man is understood to be Chelsea's top target.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane had been reluctant to let James leave the club and has admitted that himself, though things have changed from the club's perspective after the news on Tuesday that their transfer ban had been reduced to a mere single transfer window. Real are now able to sign players from next summer, as opposed to January 2018.
Meanwhile, a number of other sources had reported on Tuesday that James had taken a significant step towards his departure by attaining a visa to travel to the UK from the British Embassy in Bogota, in his native Colombia. It had been reported that the move was made so he could discuss a transfer with, presumably, Chelsea.
However,El Tiemporeport that Jamesintends to welcome the new year in England with his brother andArsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, who he plays with at international level.
Rodriguez has this week failed to guarantee he will play in Madrid over the second half of the season.
For more great content, subscribe to 90min on YouTube, and follow @_scottsaunders on Twitter!