Real Madrid have had their transfer ban reduced to just one window which in turn will allow them to make new signings next summer.
The Spanish giants took their case to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, and the verdict means that FIFA’s ban has been reduced.
As noted by The Daily Mail, it will now lead to increased transfer activity next year, and it could spell the end for James Rodriguez.
The Colombian international has endured a difficult time in the Spanish capital since his move from Monaco in 2014 in a deal worth a reported €80m, as per The Telegraph, as he has regularly found himself battling for a spot in the starting line-up.
With the club now able to buy players next summer, Real will have the freedom to sell Rodriguez and replace him as Zinedine Zidane looks to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet and build a squad capable of competing on various fronts for many more years.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has today informed Real Madrid C. F. of their decision by which they have partially upheld the appeal lodged by the club against the FIFA resolution which imposed a sanction forbidding the signing of players for two transfer windows, reducing said sanction to just one period, corresponding to the January 2017 transfer window,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“The decision highlights the injustice of the original ban imposed by FIFA, although the club regrets that the CAS lacked the courage to revoke the ruling entirely.”
The ban was imposed despite the fact that Madrid had denied any wrongdoing in signing young players from outside of Spain who went on to feature in games since 2005.
There was also a personal element to it for Zidane as it involved his sons, but ultimately the latest ruling will provide some relief to the club even though they’re still not entirely happy. They will now begin the process of identifying potential summer transfer targets which will be a concern for both their domestic and European rivals.