Bayern Munich opt against signing Rodriguez on permanent basis

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the Bundesliga club have opted against signing James Rodriguez from Real Madrid on a permanent basis.

Bayern signed Rodriguez on an initial two-year loan deal in the summer of 2017 at the request of Carlo Ancelotti but the former Madrid manager was sacked just over a month into the 2017/18 campaign.

Bayern had an option to sign Rodriguez for €42m (£37.2m) but Rummenigge has confirmed to German publication Bild the Colombia international will return to Madrid this summer.

“The decision with James has fallen in principle. He was with me and told me in a personal conversation that he asks the club not to pull the option,” he said.

“Under these conditions, it makes no sense. He wants to play, be a regular player. That is not guaranteed here. I personally regret that.”

It’s unlikely Rodriguez has a future at Madrid as Zinedine Zidane’s side need to raise funds through player sales in order to afford their summer spending spree.

Madrid have already spent in excess of £100m on Luka Jovic and Eder Militao this summer and are also lining up moves for Premier League duo Paul Pogba and Eden Hazard.

Both players could end up costing Madrid in excess of £100m each and the likes of Rodriguez and Gareth Bale will need to be sold.

Rodriguez played a direct hand in 34 goals in 43 league games for Bayern (14 goals, 14 assists) but only featured in 45.3% of an available 6,120 minutes of playing time in the Bundesliga.

Of players that started 10 Bundesliga games in that period, Rodriguez required the fewest minutes per key pass (one every 24.1 minutes of playing time).