Premier League pair could replace Colombian star.Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco are already preparing for the very real prospect that they could lose their star player James Rodriguez this summer, with the 22-year-old winger emerging as one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup.
The Colombian international is currently the leading scorer in the tournament, contributing five goals and two assists to his country’s run to the quarter-finals so far, and this has unsurprisingly seen him linked with a move to the Premier League with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
CaughtOffside now understands that Monaco are not confident of keeping hold of the player, who has previously stated a desire to play in a bigger league, and have put together a five-man shortlist of potential targets that could come in and replace him.
Some big names make the list, including players from Liverpool and Tottenham, as Monaco should have plenty of money to spend from Rodriguez’s sale, in addition to the funds they already have from the backing of owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, who brought in a number of big names, Rodriguez included, in last summer’s transfer window.
5) Juan Iturbe (Hellas Verona)
Another top class South American talent, Hellas Verona attacking midfielder Juan Iturbe has been dubbed ‘the next Lionel Messi’ after his fine performances in Serie A this season. The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all thought to be watching him as well, but Monaco could now step up their interest in bringing Iturbe in as a like-for-like replacement for Rodriguez. The 21-year-old notched up eight goals and four assists in the Italian top flight this term, and could go on to enjoy a similarly meteoric rise like Rodriguez has if he is given the chance to play for a bigger club, as well as for his senior national team, with a call-up for Argentina surely not far away.
4) Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)
One of the best playmakers in Ligue 1 for some time now, Marseille’s Mathieu Valbuena looks likely to be leaving the club this summer as he eyes a new challenge. Although it has looked for the last few months like he could be looking for a move abroad, Monaco may now attempt to persuade him to remain in France with a big-money offer to become their latest marquee signing. Arsenal, Liverpool and Valencia have all been linked with the 29-year-old this summer, but may now face disappointment in their efforts to land him as he could be in with a real chance of joining the ever-improving Monaco as they look to compete with fellow big-spenders Paris Saint-Germain for the title next season.
3) Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
After a superb first season at Tottenham, it is no surprise to see Danish youngster Christian Eriksen attracting interest from bigger clubs. The 22-year-old contributed ten goals and ten assists for Spurs in his first season with the club, confirming his status as one of the most promising up-and-coming talents in the game after he’d first caught the eye at Ajax. A similar style of player to Rodriguez, Eriksen could be an excellent purchase for Monaco if they choose to pursue him as their main target. Tottenham will no doubt be keen to keep the player after only signing him last summer, but a big enough offer could see the Dane make the move to Ligue 1.
2) Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
A top target for Liverpool, Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri could be available for a cut-price fee of around £15m this summer, and would be a bargain replacement for Rodriguez if he does move. The Swiss international has also caught the eye at this year’s World Cup, scoring a superb hat-trick in a recent win over Honduras, and would surely welcome a move to Monaco after struggling to establish himself as a regular at the Allianz Arena. There’s no doubt that with his technique, eye for goal and cultured left foot, Shaqiri has the potential to become a top performer in the Rodriguez mould, but Liverpool will still be hoping to win the race for his signature.
1) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Thought to be Monaco’s prime candidate, Liverpool’s Brazilian starlet Philippe Coutinho could be the man brought in to replace Rodriguez this summer. The 22-year-old is another player on this list who could quite convincingly be argued as being one of the best young players in Europe at the moment, and his natural quality and ability has quickly seen him become a vitally important player for Liverpool. Unlucky to miss out on a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad this summer, Coutinho could soon be the subject of a big-money move if Monaco have their way. With another main target, Shaqiri, possibly heading to Anfield, the Ligue 1 giants may sense an opportunity to move for Coutinho instead, as the Reds may feel more open to parting company with the midfielder with the promise of a replacement already coming in.