Guillem Balague: 'Zinedine Zidane wants to sell James Rodriguez'

James Rodriguez celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Eibar on April 9, 2016
© AFP
Respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague claims that Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane wants to sell James Rodriguez in the final week of the transfer window.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane wants James Rodriguez 'out the door' in the final week of the transfer window, according to respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.

James has been strongly linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer, but it had been thought that all parties had agreed on a stay, despite interest from the Premier League and Italian champions Juventus.

The Colombian international was left out of Zidane's starting XI against Real Sociedad last weekend despite the absence of a number of attackers, however, and Balague has said that the Frenchman wants to sell the attacking midfielder.

"Chelsea have not made a bid. I don't believe that they are willing to pay €70m (£60m) as it has been published in the Spanish media," Balague told Sky Sports News.

"But Real Madrid have opened the door to him should he want to leave - he is not expected to start at the weekend in La Liga. Zinedine Zidane wants him out but the player told Real he wants to stay. He is being pushed out but will not be sold on the cheap."

James, 25, scored eight times in 32 appearances for Real Madrid last season and has netted 25 goals in total since making the move from AS Monaco in the summer of 2014.

James Rodriguez celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Eibar on April 9, 2016
Read Next:
James Rodriguez nearing Juventus switch?
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Las PalmasLas Palmas22009366
2Barcelona22007256
3Real Madrid22005146
4Sevilla21106424
5Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo21102114
6Sporting GijonSporting Gijon21102114
7Leganes21101014
8EibarEibar21012203
9Real Sociedad210123-13
10Malaga20203302
11AlavesAlaves20201102
12Atletico MadridAtletico20201102
13Villarreal20201102
14Espanyol201168-21
15Osasuna201113-21
16Granada201126-41
17Real Betis201126-41
18Athletic Bilbao200213-20
19Celta Vigo200213-20
20Valencia200225-30