Bayern Munich rule out "human trafficking' transfer move for James Rodriguez

Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2019 by squawka.com

Bayern Munich rule out

Bayern Munich will not sign Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez just to sell him for a profit according to club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Rodriguez is just finishing a two-year loan-spell at the reigning Bundesliga champions but it seems his tenure with Bayern will not be extended beyond the 18/19 season.

James Rodriguez waves goodbye to Bayern? Five things you need to know…
1. James Rodriguez moved to Bayern from Real Madrid on a two-year loan-deal in 2017 for a loan for of €13 million.
2. The 27-year-old has made 67 appearances for Bayern, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.
3. The deal included an option to buy Rodriguez on a permanent deal for €42 million at the end of the loan.
4. The Columbian has won three major titles in two seasons; two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal.
5. Bayern president Rummenigge has insisted the club will not engage in 'human trafficking' by buying and selling the player for profit.

Speaking to reporters about the possibility of extending Rodriguez's stay at Bayern beyond the pre-agreed two-year spell, club president Rummenigge refused the notion that the club would take up the option of buying the player to simply make a profit this summer.

Rodriguez has been linked with a move to some of Europe's biggest clubs but Bayern do have first option to purchase the player. Rummenigge has revealed the club will make a decision on the player "next week" but it will be a decision based on need over greed.

Rummenigge said: "That's not the style of Bayern.

"We don't want to do human trafficking, to push something elsewhere to make some money. FC Bayern has never been that way.

"We will surely come together next week and we will decide what to do. We must put all options on the table and decide how to handle all those things that aren't certain yet. We must make exclamation marks out of the question marks."

Rodriguez – his route to Bayern

The 27-year-old is entering some of the best years of his footballing career, with youth and experience coming together over the next few seasons. Rodriguez has earned his reputation as one of the most exciting play-makers in European football having been well-known for quite some time now.

Having left South American football to ply his trade at FC Porto in 2010, Rodriguez enjoyed great success on Portuguese soil, winning three league titles in a row and the Europa League.

Bayern Munich rule out

A move to France followed when AS Monaco came calling but his top-class performances at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil teased Real Madrid into spending £63 million

In total, Rodriguez made 111 appearances for Madrid, scoring 36 times whilst helping the side win a host of honours including one La Liga title and two UEFA Champions Leagues.

However, his place in the side was slowly lost and ultimately he was sent to Germany. His time at Madrid seems to be over now though with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane reportedly happy to see the South American depart the club.

Whether the end destination is Bayern remains to be seen.