"Ancelotti is crazy about James"

Spanish newspaper AS have said that Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that he would like to sign James Rodriguez next season, applying pressure on Napoli's Sporting Director, Aurelio De Laurentiis to show the Italian side's interest.

It has emerged that on the 1st June, Ancelotti contacted James regarding a future transfer, as it became clear that his future did not lie at Bayern Munich. 

Although it is clear that Real Madrid want to see the back of James for next season, they do not want to let him go for anything less than 42 million euros, which was the price they wanted from Bayern Munich, had they opted to pay for James.

The Colombian originally left the club in search of more first team football, something he was able to achieve at Bayern in his first season, but under Nico Kovac his role became increasingly less important for the Bundesliga Champions.

Bayern loaned Rodriguez, and had an option to buy, but Real are only interested in selling him, as they are at risk of Financial Fairplay punishments after already spending 300 million euros on transfers this summer.