REAL MADRID TO SELL JAMES RODRIGUEZ

JAMES RODRIGUEZ is set to leave Real Madrid this summer with agent Jorge Mendes already looking for his next club, according to Guillem Balague.

The Colombia international has been a shadow of his former self this season, failing to nail down a place in either Rafa Benitez or Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI.

Rodriguez was a key man the previous year after completing a whopping £63million move from Monaco, but has been gradually frozen out as Los Blancos look to employ more pragmatic tactics.

Rodriguez's time at Real starting going downhill when he was dropped by Rafa Benitez Getty

The playmaker’s mum has alreadymade her feelings known about Zidane on Twitter, with Rodriguez’s dad also getting in on the action.

Real are believed to be in the market for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard as they look to peg back Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the title race, andRodriguez could be used as a bargaining chip.

Manchester United have also been linked, but will have to splash the cash as Zidane’s side look to recoup as much of his transfer fee as possible.

Real are looking to clear space in their side as they prepare to raid Chelsea for Eden Hazard Getty

Rodriguez has been unable to win back his place under new boss Zinedine Zidane Getty

And Spanish football expert Balague reckons that Rodriguez’s time at the Bernabeu is virtually over, explaining that super-agent Mendes has already been touting his client’s name about town after losing the support of Real's fans.

Balague said: “Real will be willing to sell him. Zidane has lost faith in him, Florentino Perez has lost faith in him, but they want to recover some of the money they spend on him.

“Mentally, he is not strong. He found himself on the bench, or rotated by Rafa Benitez, and instead of fighting for his place quietly he took opportunities in the press to subtly criticise Rafa Benitez. His agent Jorge Mendes put a lot of stories in the press to put pressure on Rafa.

Toni Kroos is looking for a Bernabeu exit this summer Getty

“But Zidane, who has come in with even more authority, did the same thing, and James has not been able to fight his position. There is too much dragging of the feet and moaning for my liking, and it looks like for Zidane as well.

“At first, he was a weapon for the fans against Rafa, but not they have realised he is not a consistent player. He has quality, no doubt, but in this team you need to have much more than quality, and mentally he is not the strongest. Fans perceive that as well, so Mendes is looking for teams to sell him to.”

Balague also revealed that Toni Kroos is eyeing a Real exit, adding: “Kroos decided early this season that this could be his last year. He’s willing to listen to offers.”