Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is ready to go head-to-head with Manchester United in the race to sign Real Madrid outcast James Rodriguez, reports the Daily Express.
The Colombia international has struggled to hold down a regular first team spot under Zinedine Zidane, leading to suggestions that he could leave the club in the New Year.
Conte tried to sign Rodriguez in the summer, but Real Madrid’s transfer ban meant the club were reluctant to cash in on the 25-year-old.
The Chelsea boss, though, is set to return for Rodriguez in January as he looks to improve his attacking options, with United manager Jose Mourinho also a fan of the Colombian creator.
Rodriguez moves to the Bernabeu in 2014 for a reported £63m and despite a lack of game time, Real Madrid will be keen to recoup most, if not all, of that fee should they decide to sell.
A loan switch in January could be on the cards, with a view to a permanent move in the summer, with the two Premier League giants expected to thrash it out for the signing of the creative star.
For more stats on James Rodriguez, click here to view his WhoScored player page
