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Arsenal transfer target James Rodriguez should ‘run away’ from Real Madrid, says Carlos Valderrama


James Rodriguez has been linked with Arsenal, Everton and Wolves in recent days (Picture: Getty)

Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama says he would be ‘running away’ from Real Madrid if he was in James Rodriguez’s position amid speculation Arsenal are interested in signing the midfielder.

Rodriguez completed a £63million move to Madrid off the back of a magnificent 2014 World Cup campaign but the 28-year-old has struggled to live up to his hefty price tag.

The Colombia international has only made 13 appearances for Madrid this season after returning from his two-year loan spell with Bayern Munich and looks set for the exit door at the Bernabeu in the summer transfer window.

Rodriguez has struggled to live up to his enormous price tag in the Spanish capital (Picture: Getty)

Recent reports claim Premier League trio Arsenal, Everton and Wolves are all interested in Rodriguez and Valderrama and has urged his fellow countryman to flee Madrid if he receives a suitable offer.

‘James is big enough to make his own decisions now,’ the iconic Colombian told Caracol Radio.

‘If it was me, I’d be running away from Madrid.

‘He’s good enough to play for any team. I wouldn’t doubt him for an instant.

‘He’s a great player, he’s already proved it. He can start for any other team, he’s got the quality to play anywhere in the world.’

Valderrama claims he would be ‘running away’ from Madrid if he was Rodriguez (Picture: Getty)

Espanyol and Valencia midfielders Marc Roca and Carlos Soler have also been linked with Arsenal in recent days as Mikel Arteta draws up a shortlist of potential replacements for Dani Ceballos.

The Real Madrid loanee admits he’s unsure about how the coronavirus pandemic will impact his future.

‘I finish my contract on June 30. I would have to play for Arsenal, I don’t know how [it would work],’ Ceballos told El Chiringuito earlier this week.

‘My future would be irresponsible for me to speak about.

‘The most important thing will be to be important for my new team.

‘I came to Arsenal to be important and in less than a month it has disappeared.’

On rumours linking him with Valencia and Sevilla, the Spaniard replied: ‘I knew about Valencia’s interest in having my services. There was also talk of Sevilla and Betis.

‘When they connect you with these teams it is for a reason. I am very Betis and it would be difficult for me to play for Sevilla.

‘I would only play for Betis. It is my team and the one that gave me the opportunity to be a footballer.

‘I did not get to speak with [Julen] Lopetegui to sign for Sevilla.’

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