When an exciting young playmaker is at the peak of his powers, Real are never very far away.
Zinedine Zidane has earmarked Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho as a potential replacement for the out-of-favour James Rodriguez at Real Madrid, Diaro Gol claims.
Coutinho has been one of the stars of the show so far this season in the Premier League, his dazzling performances, not to mention five goals and five assists, spearheading Liverpool’s march to the top of the table in scintillating fashion.
In stark contrast, however, James’ stock continues to plummet at the Santiago Bernabau, with Zidane evidently unimpressed by the Colombian since he took the reins from Rafael Benitez in January.
The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner, who became the latest ‘Galactico’ to don the famous white two years ago for £71 million according to the BBC, enjoyed a sublime first season in Spain only to tumble down the pecking order once the axe fell on Carlo Ancelotti.
James has made just five La Liga appearances this season, comprising of two starts, with Lucas Vasquez, Isco and even 20-year-old prodigy Marco Asensio usurping the world’s seventh most expensive footballer in the Spanish capital.
As such, Diaro Gol have claimed that Zidane, one of the greatest playmakers in the history of the game, is determined to trade in James for Coutinho, so enamoured is he with Liverpool’s quick-footed magician.
However, although Liverpool’s reported £67 million asking price is unlikely to dissuade Madrid owner Florentino Perez, who has never been afraid of breaking the bank for the latest attacking superstar, the Spanish giants transfer ban will surely bring a premature end to speculation.
The ten-time European Cup winners are currently unable to register any new players until the summer of 2018, meaning Liverpool fans have at least two more years to bask in the glory of arguably the Premier League’s most exciting player.
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