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Chelsea and Premier League rivals Manchester United have been linked with a move for Real Madrid footballer James Rodriguez.

According to Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, Chelsea are closer to signing James Rodriguez than Manchester United.

Inda made this claim while speaking on Spanish TV programme El Chiringuito de Jugones according to a report on Daily Star.

According to the report, Inda claimed both Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo have tried to convince the Colombian to stay at the Bernabeu.

Rodriguez has reportedly made his mind up that he needs a new challenge as well as first-team football after falling down the pecking order at Real Madrid.