Liverpool surprise favourites for out-of-favour Real Madrid star

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could be set to pull off a sensational transfer coup this summer, with the Reds now 5/2 favourites to sign Real Madrid ace James Rodriguez, with his odds of an Anfield switch cut from 6/1.

The Colombian has found game-time increasingly hard to come by since the appointment of Zinedine Zidane in January 2016, and he’s started just seven of Los Blancos’  27 outings in La Liga this term.

However, the versatile midfielder-cum-winger has continued to impress when he has featured, with five goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season.

So it’s clear that if Klopp can add his services to the Anfield ranks, we could well see the Reds mount a serious title challenge once again. But they’ll face plenty of competition to secure the 25-year-old’s signature – and much of it from Premier League rivals.

Chelsea are second in the betting at 9/2, with Manchester United just behind at 5/1. And with former Real boss Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford hot seat, that could prove quite the lure for Rodriguez.

Elsewhere, it’s 6/1 that Rodriguez is tempted away by the cash of the Chinese Super League, while there’s 10s on offer for him to join Pep Guardiola’s ranks at Manchester City.

A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: “Don’t be surprised to see Rodriguez swap La Liga for Liverpool this summer, with Klopp keen to boost his ranks and the Colombian out-of-favour at the Bernabeu.”

Ladbrokes Latest Betting:

James Rodriguez – Next Club

Liverpool – 5/2

Chelsea – 9/2

Manchester United – 5/1

Any Chinese Super League Club – 6/1

Manchester City – 10/1

Bayern Munich – 12/1

Arsenal – 14/1

Barcelona – 16/1

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing