Rodriguez deal could lead to Muller joining Devils

MANCHESTER UNITED could reportedly benefit from James Rodriguez’s decision to swap Real Madrid for Bayern Munich after all.

After initially seeing it as a blow to their plans – the Red Devils were among several top clubs chasing the Colombian midfielder – the move could open the door to Thomas Muller going the other way.

United are determined to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title, having failed to win the prize since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement four years ago.

Their decision to sign Romelu Lukaku shows Jose Mourinho is desperate for his team to score more goals next season.

United managed just 54 goals from their 38 League games with 19 of those coming courtesy of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Mourinho could yet sign a top centre-forward despite signing Lukaku, with reports claiming Alvaro Morata has not been forgotten.

However, the Mirror say a move for Muller is not being ruled out in the wake of Bayern’s decision to sign Rodriguez.

The Colombia international was regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford but has opted to pursue a new challenge in Bavaria instead.

It means Carlo Ancelotti’s side boast a wellstocked – and formidable – arsenal of attacking options at their disposal. And that could mean one of their forwards leaving, with Muller likeliest.

The Germany international has spent his whole career with Bayern, but managed just nine goals from 42 appearances under Ancelotti last season.

It is not the first time he has been linked with a move to United.

Louis van Gaal was reportedly keen to sign the striker during his own time in charge of the Premier League giants. But the Dutchman instead opted to go for the likes of Radamel Falcao and Anthony Martial instead.

Real’s decision to agree a long-term loan for Rodriguez took everyone by surprise as it had been assumed the Champions League winners would offload him to raise cash for their anticipated world record purchase of Kyrian Mbappe.

United, Chelsea and Inter were in talks about a potential signing at some stage, but none were willing to go close to the £70 million (RM385m) asking price.

That was when Real president Florentino Perez opted to free up space on the field and reduce the wage bill by agreeing a loan.

With Rodriguez eager to get a deal done before the Spanish club leave for their pre-season tour, Real instead began contemplating the possibility of a long-term loan with Bayern swooping in to seal the deal.

Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti – who worked with Rodriguez in what was probably his most productive season at the Bernabeu, his debut campaign in 2014-15, before the Italian was somewhat surprisingly sacked – is known to be open to the idea of working with the Colombian star again. – Express Newspapers