There’s nothing Jose Mourinho would like more than to get one over on Chelsea.
The Blues might look destined for the Premier League title with Manchester United in sixth, but he could still outdo them in the transfer window.
After nabbing Paul Pogba in the summer – who was targeted by both clubs – Mourinho is now aiming to take James Rodriguez from under their noses too.
That’s according to the Sun, who believe United have asked Real Madrid about his availability.
This isn’t thought to be with a view to signing him in January, as Real need him as cover for the rest of the season – which is when their transfer ban will end and they can sign a replacement.
The Colombian has never really settled at the Bernabeu and that hasn’t changed with the arrival of Zinedine Zidane a year ago, as Zizou has handed him even fewer opportunities.
And while Chelsea were putting aside around £70million to tempt Los Blancos into selling, United have been told he’s actually available for £50million.
It doesn’t appear that the two would have to pay different prices for him, but now that United are aware of his lower fee, they could move faster.
Another advantage is that Mourinho shares the same agent as Rodriguez, Jorge Mendes, and that could be key to brokering a deal before Chelsea get there first.
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