James Rodriguez is pressing for a return to Real Madrid in January

Advertisement

James Rodriguez is pressing for a return to Real Madrid in January. He is tired of Niko Kovac and Bayern, and has been asking agent Jorge Mendes since the summer to facilitate his return to Madrid.

Real Madrid cut Rodriguez loose in the summer of 2017, allowing him to move to Bayern Munich in a two-year loan deal.

The Colombia international had tumbled down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane, often being stuck behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio in the pecking order.

Real Madrid’s loss was Bayern Munich’s gain last season as Rodriguez helped them continue their dominance of the Bundesliga.

This season, however, the 27-year-old has found life at the Allianz Arena a lot tougher.

Rodriguez has three goals from eight league matches but has a strained relationship with Niko Kovac.

Last season, the Colombia star was often indulged by Jupp Heynckes after he succeeded Carlo Ancelotti in the job.

But Kovac’s tougher, old-fashioned methods have caused friction within the Bayern Munich camp.

According to Spanish media ABC, the Colombia international is tired of Niko Kovac and Bayern, and has been asking his agent Jorge Mendes since the summer to facilitate his return to Madrid, his contract with the Los Blancos until 2022

Advertisement

For now, Bayern are sticking with the Croatian, who they enticed away from Eintracht Frankfurt back in the summer.

Rodriguez has started just seven of Bayern’s 16 matches this season.

The La Liga giants miss Ronaldo, who quit for Juventus in a £105million transfer back in the summer.

So far, Bale and Karim Benzema have failed to produce the goods – resulting in Julen Lopetegui’s sacking as manager.

Back in the summer, before Kovac’s appointment, Rodriguez insisted he was happy with his first season at Bayern and wanted to stay.

“I think my future is here. There are a lot of rumours, they talk about a lot of clubs, but right now I’m thinking about Bayern Munich,” Rodriguez said.

“When I look back at my first year at Bayern I am very happy. This year I want to win more trophies and also be a big help to the team.

“We have a team that works well together and so everything is possible. I want to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich whatever it takes.”

Advertisement