Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez could be headed back to European soccer, according to Italian media reports. The 35-year-old, who became a free agent after leaving Minnesota United of MLS following this year’s World Cup, has reportedly been in talks with Avellino, a second-division (Serie B) club in southern Italy.
Spanish outlet Marca first reported the negotiations, which Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport later detailed. Talks reportedly began more than three weeks ago through an intermediary but stalled when Rodríguez hesitated to commit to a second-tier club, hoping instead for an offer from a top-flight team. With no such offers materializing, discussions resumed, helped along by Avellino’s head coach, former AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, who reportedly reached out personally to persuade the Colombian to join the club’s project.
Per Corriere dello Sport, the proposed deal would run through June 2027, with an option to extend a year if Avellino earns promotion to Serie A (Italy’s top division). The reported salary — 2.5 million euros (about $2.7 million) — would be a striking sum for a Serie B contract.
Avellino president Angelo Antonio D’Agostino confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, saying the player has expressed willingness to join and that a deal could be finalized within days.
Read the full original story at eltiempo.com.
Source: Revelan detalles del contrato que le ofrecerían a James en el Avellino de Italia y el impresionante salario (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: dbking, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).