Bayern Munich have given the green light to James Rodriguez’s departure, with Arsenal one of the clubs ready to welcome him, according to sensationalist claims in the Spanish media.

MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 03: James Rodriguez of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena on November 3, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 03: James Rodriguez of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena on November 3, 2018, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Spanish outlet Don Balon wrote that Bayern coach Niko Kovac ‘does not count’ on Rodriguez, and the club are willing to give the ‘green light’ to his departure. Real Madrid would consider welcoming him back, but Arsenal, Juventus, Napoli and Liverpool are all interested too.

The same outlet then published an update saying that Arsenal had put a €70m ‘on the table’ and offered James a key role in their team.

Don Balon aren’t a reliable source of news, but the English media has nonetheless taken the claims and run with them. The Daily Star write that Arsenal are ‘touted for James Rodriguez raid’, the Mirror say Arsenal are ‘interested in stunning £63m swoop’ for him.

Plenty of outlets are now reporting that Real Madrid have accepted the Arsenal bid, based solely on the Don Balon report.

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james rodriguez
James Rodriguez with Real Madrid

The reality is likely that Don Balon have just realised that their usual story about Karim Benzema-to-Arsenal is old now. No one takes it seriously, so they’ve had to move onto a new player to invent stories for. This rumour is definitely one to ignore, for now.

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