David Beckham reportedly wants to make James Rodriguez Inter Miami 's next superstar signing.
The ex- Everton and Real Madrid ace has been in the United States this week after publicly admitting that he would be open to leaving Qatari side Al-Rayyan after less than six months with the club. The Sun claim that Beckham and Inter chiefs have contacted Rodriguez, 30, with a view to a blockbuster transfer.
Star striker Gonzalo Higuain has fallen out of favour under manager Phil Neville and his £5.6million-a-year deal will expire at the end of the season, with the MLS transfer window opening on July 7. His departure would make space for another big-earner in their squad which also includes former France, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi.
Rodriguez, who swapped Merseyside for the Middle East in September, earns a reported £6.5m in Qatar but recently admitted that the MLS would be a "good option" for next his move. "[Al-Rayyan] has not been able to get results in the league, but we're doing well in the Cup, the idea is to win it," the former Porto and Monaco star declared on Twitch, as quoted by Bolavip.
"At least I'm playing. I'm doing well. I've already played many games, I'm happy about that because it's been a long time since I've played so many games in a row. I'm scoring goals, providing assists, and that's why I came here, to be able to play and get into a rhythm, and to see what happens next as well."
"I don't know, you never know what will happen. Although I would like to go somewhere else. Physically I'm perfect, I'm healthy. They ask me if I would return to Europe, why not? I have the conditions for that, I'm getting into a rhythm. A good option would be the United States."
After his one-season spell with Everton ended in a bitter departure thanks to the appointment of Rafa Benitez, Rodriguez hailed the club and would still be there today had it not been for who was formally in charge at Goodison Park. "I would have liked to have been at Everton for much longer," the Colombia international explained.
"It's a spectacular club, the fans are incredible, but I ran into a coach who didn't want to count on me. I wanted to be there. Unfortunately, the coach didn't want to count on me."
As for Rodriguez's chances of joining Neville's side, who sit third bottom of the Eastern Conference after nine matches, Beckham has insisted that players will not be signed on his basis of their star power, with the Colombian boasting close to 50 million followers on Instagram.
Have your say! Would Rodriguez be a good signing for Inter Miami? Comment your verdict below.
Asked about the prospect of signing the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, ex- Manchester United icon Beckham replied: "Without a doubt, those are the type of players that we aspire to bring to our club. I think that the fans would really appreciate that.
"But, as owners, we want players here that are driven, that want to win, and that's our priority. With Blaise and Gonzalo, these are players that we feel add to the glitz and the glamour of what the club is. Going forward, we also want to bring other players in if we have the opportunity to bring some great names in, you obviously mentioned Leo and Cristiano.
"They've been at the top of their game for the last 15 years because of hard work. Sir Alex Ferguson was a master at it. He didn't always bring in the best player in the world. He didn't always bring in the top player. He bought the right player for the club. And I think that that's the one thing that I take into our club, is the player has to be right."
