Manchester United given go ahead to sign Real Madrid's James Rodriguez for £50m

Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has been told that he can leave the club this summer with Manchester United interested in securing his services. The Colombian has failed to nail a starting spot for himself on a regular basis for the Champions League winners and wants to move elsewhere to secure uninhibited playing time.

The Mirror reports that for United to sign him, they have to shell out something in the range of £50m ($68m) with Real looking to cut down on their losses after signing the player from Monaco in 2014. The 24-year-old has the same agent as United's new manager Jose Mourinho, Jorge Mendes, which could lead to a smooth transition to Old Trafford for the South American superstar. Mendes also manages United hero David de Gea and has a long standing relationship with the Portuguese manager.

Rodriguez was an unused substitute in Real's Champions League win over Atletico Madrid last season and is currently preparing for the third place play-off against hosts USA after being eliminated from the Copa America semi-finals by Chile. The report states that he has put his house in Madrid for sale and is looking to get his future sorted as soon as possible. The midfielder has made 26 appearances for the Spanish capital club in the league last season, scoring seven goals and assisting eight.

Meanwhile, United are set to heavily invest in the market this season so as to get themselves back in the reckoning for a place in the top four after finishing the recently concluded season in fifth spot. They have already signed Villareal centre-back Eric Bailly and are heavily invested in the market for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with his agent Mino Raiola confirming that the player is all set on a move to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, club legend Ryan Giggs is set to talk to Mourinho personally and tell him about the Welshman's plans to leave the club this summer after not being given the role of assistant manager. The Red Devils start their league season on Saturday, 13 August against AFC Bournemouth, a date subject to change with change in TV schedule.