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La Liga Leaks: James ‘wants to stay’ but Real ‘reactivate Pogba talks’

MARCA’s lead story this morning is an exclusive chat with James Rodriguez. The Colombian international has been linked for a move away from Real Madrid for most of the summer due to how little he played at the end of last season. Zinedine Zidane was largely unimpressed with the player’s attitude, who apparently felt his status meant he should be in the side instead of the effort he put in on the training round.

I’m going to fight to earn my place at Madrid,” is what James told MARCA while enjoying his last few days of his time off. This would tie in with what the Madrid press were reporting yesterday, about the move for Andre Gomes becoming complicated due to James’ stance. However, it appears there is interest in the Colombian who confirmed the club received a bid for his services. “I know a club has bid €85m for me but I’m not leaving.“ Not yet at least.

Florentino Perez met up with Zidane yesterday and the two had a brief - very brief in fact - talk about how transfer business was going. He was seen on camera saying the progress on signings had been slow, how things were complicated. One moment caught the attention though as Perez smirks when saying, “There’s nothing confirmed yet.” The Spanish media suggest this was in reference to Paul Pogba who has yet to sign for Manchester United.

However Cadena SER radio report there’s an even bigger issue at hand when it comes to Pogba: neither Perez nor sporting director Jose Angel Sanchez see him being worth the outlay. The article later goes on to state that Pogba would be seen as an alternative to Toni Kroos, which might force the German to push for a move elsewhere. Two years without a Galatico. Do you think Perez has cold sweats?

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have agreed a €22m move for Luciano Vietto according to Mundo Deportivo. It appears the number 22 has some kind of special significance in Catalunya as all of their new signings are 22 years of age and Vietto, you guessed it, is also 22 - and for €22m! You almost couldn’t make it up. Atletico originally wanted a loan move but it appears a permanent deal is on the cards with just small details to be ironed out.

Meanwhile, in Sevilla, Monchi is hopeful that original Barcelona target Kevin Gameiro will in fact sign a new contract with the club. “Kevin has created a lot of interest from other clubs but our plan is that he stays with us. There’s a month and a half left in the transfer window and we don’t know what could happen but I don’t fancy talking about this topic again as there’s nothing new to add.” Plenty of interest but no one seemingly willing to match his €40m buyout clause. Looks like the player will have to force a move, if he wants out.

Other news and rumours:

- Guillermo Ochoa has left Malaga and joined Paco Jemez’s Granada on loan.

- It looks like Jese Rodriguez will be heading to the Bundesliga or the Premier League after being told his playing time at Real Madrid would be limited. (AS)

- Ciro Immobile looks set to leave Sevilla this summer with Monchi confirming the club are in talks to sell the Italian striker. (Estadio Deportivo)

- Valencia want to keep hold of Enzo Perez and Javi Fuego for next season but Lucas Orban could be the next player to leave Los Che. (Plaza Deportiva)

- Real Betis are ready to battle Southampton for the signature of Valère Germain, currently at Monaco, this summer. (Estadio Deportivo)

- Atletico Madrid confirm the signing of goalkeeper Axel Werner from Atletico Rafeaela for €800,000. (AS)