Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane recently insisted that in-demand midfielder James Rodriguez is staying at the Bernabéu and will not be sold despite interests from cash-rich English Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 25-year-old Colombia international has been the subject of recent transfer rumors linking him to the Red Devils and the Blues, citing that he is "unhappy" at Real Madrid at the moment because of lack of first-team time with Zidane and could exit the squad when the winter transfer window opens in January.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte is said to be interested in acquiring the services of the Colombia team captain in January while United manager Jose Mourinho was rumored to have prepared a £60 million bid for Rodriguez in the recently closed summer window.
However, the 44-year-old former football superstar and now boss of Los Blancos had insisted that Rodriguez is "important to the team" despite regularly utilizing him as a midfield substitute since he took over the reins at the Bernabéu in January of this year, according to the Independent.
"I've said two or three times that he's training very well and James is going to play, he's important for the team," said Zidane. "I see him to be very well, the same as last season. I won't say he's any different. He just wants to play like everyone else and is going to offer us what he has."
"If Cristiano (Ronaldo), Karim (Benzema), and Gareth (Bale) are at 100 percent, the idea is to play them. If they're all available, I'll play all three, but we don't have just one game and I have the possibility of playing others, and when they play, they do so well," he added.
Meanwhile, the Daily Express reported that United "will continue their pursuit of Rodriguez and have already offered him a 'major role' at Old Trafford".
Still, Rodriguez is said to be keen on staying with Los Blancos despite the great interest from the Red Devils. Rodriguez had also recently denied the recent rumors of his unhappiness in Madrid and said he wants to stay at the Spanish capital city club forever.
"Zidane is my idol. Real Madrid is my dream. I hope it lasts much more time," Rodriguez said after scoring a goal in the squad's 2-0 win over Espanyol last Sunday. "My family and I are very happy in Madrid and in the team. I will fight to stay here forever."