Bayern Munich 'confident' to keep James Rodriguez

FC Bayern Munich decided to keep midfielder James Rodriguez who joined the German club from Real Madrid on loan in 2017. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of Bayern Munich said in an interview with Abendzeitung (AZ) on Friday he is "confident" Rodriguez will stay.

"I'm a big fan of James. He has an excellent left foot and is a world star. We have until June 15th to pull our option to buy him. But I have to say, everyone is happy with him, and I am confident that James will be playing at Bayern again next season," said Rummenigge.

The loan deal between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich over Rodriguez included a 42-million-euro (about 47.2 million U.S. dollars) purchase option. The German club could choose to activate it until June 15.

James Rodriguez plays for Real Madrid in the La Liga game against CD Leganes, April 5, 2017. /VCG Photo

Thanks to his remarkable performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on behalf of Columbia, Rodriguez was introduced by Real Madrid who paid 63 million euros (about 70.8 million dollars) to Monaco of Ligue 1. However, Rodriguez depressed under Zinedine Zidane and came to Bavaria for new opportunities.

Though he could deliver impressive moments from time to time, Rodriguez again had to sit on the bench in some of the key games under new boss Niko Kovac. Therefore, the Columbian midfielder again began to look for new employees. Juventus of Serie A was interested in him and wanted to bring him to Allianz Stadium to assist Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid also wanted him back as they could put Rodriguez together with cash to buy other players.

Bayern Munich had good reasons to keep Rodriguez, too. The team's winger-combination that they had been relying on for a decade, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, already aged but youngsters like Kingsley Coman and Renato Sanches did not meet the team's expectation. Bayern Munich needed a playmaker who already proved himself in a world event in the midfield. Besides, Rodriguez could play multiple positions, and he had the exquisite techniques the German club needed.