James Rodriguez he was close to becoming a player in the Atlético de Madrid the last summer. Diego Simeone I loved the Colombian, and the footballer was crazy for being red and white. But finally, the Real Madrid no allowed its signing by the mattress entity.
A few days ago, James admitted that Madrid did not want to let the team he had chosen leave. He did not give names, but it was assumed that he was referring to Atlético. Well, now he has been his stepfather, Juan Carlos Restrepo, the one that has confirmed it on Radio Mars.
“James would have preferred to go to Atlético Madrid in case of a transfer. This does not mean that there were no attempts and appreciations from other clubs as well. He feels comfortable in Spain, on a personal level, and was not convinced to change countries, “said Restrepo, adding that” the negotiation was there, it may be that the friendly summer game played a role. But in the end, Real, who wants to dominate in Spain and the world, still considers the player to be important to his team and decided not to sell him. This was the official position. “
James' decision to bet on Atlético implied saying 'no' to the offer he had from Napoli, and that was what Real Madrid wanted to accept. And he does not rule out that this possibility may now occur: “I do not think James has closed negotiations with Naples, an important club with great prospects, so with Ancelotti there is great human and professional esteem as anyone knows it. In my opinion, as James' adoptive father, I think the point was that in order for someone like him to be transferred, you have to agree on many points and in many ways. I think staying in Spain was the best possibility, especially if he could stay in Madrid. Whatever the club of the future, we hope the pieces of the puzzle will come together like they did not last year. If it will be an important club like Naples, welcome ”.
“He has nothing against Napolés. He and Ospina They have a great relationship, professional and human. If you have not reached Napolés, it is only because some factors have not coincided. When he found out about Atlético, he put that possibility in mind compared to the others for many reasons, especially the family that I mentioned previously ”, he stressed, before referring to the next transfer market:“ A solution must be reached that can satisfy all the parts on a human level, of the technical project and, obviously, on the economic issue ”.