James Rodriguez could return to Madrid, with Rayo Vallecano keen to sign the free-agent Colombian midfielder, sources have told ESPN.
The LaLiga club based in the Madrid neighbourhood of Vallecas has been working for weeks to sign the player from this summer's Copa América tournament, who they consider the ideal star to excite fans in the celebrations of its centenary, according to sources close to the club.
Sources also indicated that Rodriguez, who played for Real Madrid between 2014 and 2020, would welcome a return to the city and has given his blessing to a deal with Vallecano, even on a reduced salary.
One of the obstacles to the transfer is La Liga's demands for financial control. Vallecano has been working quietly to make the numbers add up, but the situation has been difficult to resolve at this stage of the transfer window, the sources added.
A source close to the player told ESPN that the agreement with Vallecano is in its final stages, although the club has denied that is the case.
Rodriguez played last season with São Paulo but did not sign a new contract to remain at the Brazilian club. In a nomadic career since leaving Madrid, he has also played on loan at Bayern Munich, Everton, Al Rayyan and Olympiacos.
Rodriguez shined at the recent Copa America in the United States, contributing a tournament-record six assists as his team reached the final before losing to Argentina.
