Reports from Spain state that Arsenal are planning to hijack their Premier League rivals’ bid for Real Madrid star James Rodriguez. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to England with both Manchester United and Chelsea strong contenders for his signature.
 

According to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito (via The Express) however, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has already tabled a £69.8M bid which has been rejected by the Spanish champions, but that The Gunners could now return with an improved offer.

After years of being criticised for not loosening the purse strings, Arsenal chief Stan Kroenke is now ready to give the French tactician the funds to compete for some of Europe’s top players. Rodriguez’s Real team-mate Alvaro Morata has also been linked with a move to The Emirates and Torino’s Andrea Belotti remains another outside bet.
 

James has links to North London already having married the sister on international team-mate David Ospina and after just 13 starts last season for Los Blancos, his future looks to be somewhere in England.