Chelsea Hit By Major Setback In £120,000-a-week Star Transfer

Chelsea have been pegged back in their efforts to sign Real Madrid ace after his agent Jorge Mendes revealed he is not leaving in January.

The Blues are believed to be front runners in the race to sign the Colombian international as replacement for Oscar. But his agent Jorge Mendes has ruled out a winter transfer for the midfielder.

‘James will not be leaving Madrid in January,’ he told AS.

It is believed that the Real Madrid officials are furious with James due to his latest outburst in the media which was a result of his lack of playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Following their win at the World Club Cup, the midfielder said: ‘I can’t assure I will stay at Real Madrid, I have offers and seven days left to think about my future.

‘I am happy in Madrid, but I want to play more. I have a bitter feeling as I wanted to play the final, but I am happy for the title. It’s the 15th title of my career.’

Reports in a Colombian newspaper El Tiempo had earlier claimed that Rodriguez visited the British embassy in Bogota, Colombia to process a work permit as a transfer to the Premier League beckons.