Report: James Rodriguez will return to Real Madrid on June 15th

Per a report from Marca, James Rodriguez and Bayern Munich have decided to part ways on June 15th when the player will be able to officially to return to Real Madrid. The 27-year-old’s loan spell in Bavaria has been marked by some highs and some lows, along with a string of injuries.

Barring an unexpected turn of events in the coming weeks, James Rodriguez will be a Real Madrid player again on June 15th, which is when Bayern Munich’s option to purchase the player will expire. The Bavarians have decided to let the Colombian move on after two seasons on loan rather than buy him outright as his relationship with coach Niko Kovac is seen as irreparable.

In 28 games across all competitions this season, James has seven goals and six assists, while missing 12 games due to injuries or illness. In the 2017/2018 season, James had 39 appearances where tallied eight goals and 14 assists, while missing nine games due to injury or illness.

Interestingly, Marca has indicated that some Bayern front office officials would like James to stay, but Niko Kovac is being pinpointed as the catalyst in having Bayern move on from the player. It should be noted, however, that rumors of James wanting out of Munich go back months before Kovac even became coach.

A number of people high up at the German club want James to remain, but the Croatian coach has been far from pleased with the player since he made it clear last summer that he wanted to leave Germany to return to Madrid.

Unfortunately for the Colombia international, it does not look as if his return to Spain will result in a long-term stay. Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is reportedly not a fan of James and will seek to flip the talented midfielder.

Zinedine Zidane isn’t counting on him, and he left the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu because it was the Frenchman who saw no use for him in 2017. With his contract running until 2021, Madrid will listen to any offers that come their way. James would be happy with a more secondary role should he return, but Zidane has made it clear that there’s no place for him in the squad. It was assumed that Bayern would buy him but despite his performances not being bad, things haven’t gone to plan, leaving his future up in the air again.

The Mirror is reporting that move away from Munich could be beneficial for a couple of Premier League teams, including Arsenal and Manchester United.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with the Colombian, while Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the past.

Juventus has recently been linked to James as well, which could offer him a chance to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo.