Atletico Madrid are edging closer to an unlikely deal to land playmaker James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.
It had previously been claimed that Napoli are in advanced talks for the player but Los Rojiblancos have not given up hope that they can trump the move.
The report in Marca adds that it would be a ‘complicated operation’ which is dependent upon a number of factors, including Los Rojiblancos selling Nikola Kalinic alongside at least one of Vitolo and Angel Correa – who both may move on this summer.
Diario AS have also added that Diego Simeone sees James as forming part of his new-look attack alongside Joao Felix and Thomas Lemar, with Diego Costa possibly starting as the lead frontman.
James has returned to Madrid following a two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich having started just 13 Bundesliga matches this campaign and is said to want more regular first-team football.
The former Porto and Monaco star spent three seasons at Los Blancos, helping them to two European titles, but started just 13 La Liga games in his final campaign.
Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti brought James from Monaco to the Spanish capital back in 2014 and worked with him again during his time with Bundesliga giants Bayern.