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James Rodriguez will not leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid this summer

By Benjamin Scott

Bayern Munich's Colombian James Rodriguez gestures during the German Cup DFB Pokal final football match FC Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 19, 2018. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: ACCORDING TO DFB RULES IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO IS NOT ALLOWED DURING MATCH TIME. MOBILE (MMS) USE IS NOT ALLOWED DURING AND FOR FURTHER TWO HOURS AFTER THE MATCH. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DFB DIRECTLY AT +49 69 67880 / (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's Colombian James Rodriguez gestures during the German Cup DFB Pokal final football match FC Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 19, 2018. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: ACCORDING TO DFB RULES IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO IS NOT ALLOWED DURING MATCH TIME. MOBILE (MMS) USE IS NOT ALLOWED DURING AND FOR FURTHER TWO HOURS AFTER THE MATCH. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DFB DIRECTLY AT +49 69 67880 / (Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Confirmed by his agency, Bayern Munich star James Rodriguez will not cut his two-year loan short and return to his former club, Real Madrid.

James Rodriguez was one of the breakout players for Bayern Munich during the club’s ’17-18 season. The Colombian ended the first half of his two-year loan with seven goals and 11 assists across 23 Bundesliga appearances. For many, he was the Bavarians’ player of the season.

Despite his overwhelmingly successful first season in Munich, several Spanish news outlets have reported that James is eager to return to Madrid this summer. With Zinedine Zidane no longer at the club, the player would like to give it another shot.

However, the player’s own agency has since spoken out (via ESPN), affirming that James Rodriguez will not be returning to Real Madrid this summer. There is no option for either club to terminate the loan early, and James will definitely fulfill his loan spell in the Bavarian capital.

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Although his future for the upcoming season has been decides, what will happen next summer is still somewhat speculative. Bayern Munich paid Real Madrid €5 million for each of the two seasons in the loan agreement. They have an option to make the move permanent in 2019 for a fee of €35 million.

James, whose value skyrocketed to €80 million after this past season, is a key player for Bayern, and the club would be foolish not to activate the clause to make his move permanent. He was a central figure for Jupp Heynckes and will likely play a similalrly imortant role for new manager Niko Kovac. The Colombian’s versatility makes him a huge asset no matter what manager he’s playing under.

Even if James does have a desire to return to Spain as the reports suggest, despite his claims that he is happy in Munich, then Bayern should still use their leverage to negotiate a deal that works heavily in their favor.

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But that’s all speculative for the time being. What’s most important right now is that James Rodriguez is a Bayern Munich player and will remain one throughout the course of the ’17-18 season. And the club will be all the better for it.

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