Manchester United and Tottenham Alerted as James Rodriguez Wants AS Monaco Exit

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set for summer battle in signing AS Monaco winger James Rodriguez, according to the Express.

The Colombian international was the target for both United and the north London club while he was with his former club FC Porto. However, the 22-year-old snubbed a chance to join the English clubs and joined the Ligue 1 outfit on a £35m deal.

Monaco finished second in the league table behind the title winners Paris Saint-Germain last season. They will feature in the Champions League next campaign, just a year after being promoted from the second division in France.

The report claims Rodriguez is frustrated with the lack of top-quality opponents and is now considering his future at Monaco. The Colombian winger wants to leave his current employers and make a switch to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.

The Ligue 1 runners up are keen on retaining their star winger as they will return to Europe's elite club competition next season. Monaco showed the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri the exit door and replaced him with Leonardo Jardim.

Rodriguez is not keen on playing under the French club's new manager and wants a move to England or Italy. This has alerted both United and Spurs, who were interested in securing his services last summer.

Both the Red Devils and the White Hart Lane side could rekindle their interest in signing Rodriguez in the coming transfer window.

The winger scored nine goals and managed 12 assists from 34 league appearances in his debut season with Monaco. The report claims a bid of £25m would be enough to lure Rodriguez to join the Premier League club.

Monaco would be reluctant to let their star player leave Stade Louis II for that price as they would be hoping for a higher bid. However, United and Spurs could tempt Rodriguez with top quality football in England, despite the two clubs being without Champions League football next season.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez is a part of the Colombian squad for the World Cup in Brazil. Should he shine for his national side in the summer tournament, it is likely that his asking price would further improve.