(Football news) James Rodriguez is all set to rejoin his former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo at Olympiacos on a loan deal. The Colombian superstar was keen to move to Galatasaray and Valencia on a year-long loan deal this season but those moves did not transpire. The 31-year-old was playing for Qatari side Al-Rayyan, which he joined in 2021 after leaving Everton for free. The Colombian midfielder has won numerous titles with Porto, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, he also went onto win two Champions League crowns with the Los Blancos.
The Colombian midfielder came into the limelight in 2014 after a stunning performance in the World Cup with Colombia where they reached the quarter-finals. That was his best season, as he won the Golden Boot and was the top goal scorer in the World Cup also. James’ name was available throughout the summer transfer window but he was linked to a move to the Greek side only a few weeks ago. At the end of August, the chances were slim to acquire such a high calibre player for the Greek side but with no club interested in the Colombian, the deal looked more likely.
The player of this stature will be a huge deal for the Greek side and an official announcement is expected later today. The 31-year-old was looking for an exit from Al-Rayyan where he has a contract until 2024 as he earns a £5.2 million annual salary which was a stumbling block for most European clubs this summer. According to reports, Olympiacos will pay the Colombian a salary of £1.7 million annually and Al-Rayyan will be covering the remaining £3.5 million salary of his contract. Olympiacos had a very busy summer transfer window, as they signed Marcelo and Sime Vrsaljko on a free transfer.
The deal has confused other Greek clubs, as the reports from Qatar were suggesting: “final negotiations and procedural issues with Olympiacos.” According to top transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Rodriguez is now appearing for the medical test ahead of his loan move. The Colombian attacker was willing to return to European Football from the beginning of this season. In an interview he spoke to El Chiringuito on his link to Valencia: “If Valencia calls me, I will even walk from Qatar. I would take a pay cut. If they need someone to assist Edinson Cavani, I’ll be there. They are a great club with great fans.”
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