Arsene Wenger Expects James Rodriguez to Leave for Spain

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is certain that AS Monaco star James Rodriguez will move to Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future.

The Colombian international has been touted for the big time since his days with Portuguese club Porto. His performances there earned him a big money move to Monaco, where he currently plies his trade.

However, it was Rodriguez's performance in the recently concluded World Cup that brought to light his prodigious talent. He also went on to win the Golden Boot for being the top goal scorer in the tournament.

The Gunners boss agrees that he is getting too big for the Ligue 1 club and he is certain that he will leave for Spain, if not during this transfer window, in the next couple of seasons.

"I believe that's true," Wenger said, as quoted in the Independent.

"Why? Because a player like that is difficult to keep at a club when you have Real Madrid and Barcelona looking around, and without a doubt there will be people who will be watching them play and thinking about buying him.

"Is this the year that he will move? Certainly not, because he is with Monaco and they will play Champions League next season and they are a big club in France," the former Monaco boss explained.

"But certainly in the next season or two he will want to move somewhere else," he said.

Rodriguez has been heavily linked with a £63m move to Real during the ongoing transfer window, and is also a subject to a late approach from Premier League giants Manchester United.

Meanwhile, the Gunners boss has given an injury update on Arsenal star Theo Walcott, who injured his cruciate knee ligaments in an FA Cup match against Tottenham in January.

"He's progressing very well. He's worked very hard during the summer and we expect him to be back in full training at the end of August," Wenger told Arsenal's official site.

"[On his return to action] That's difficult to predict. Once he's back in full training it can be very quick. He has a good basis, which is what he's working on now," the Frenchman added.