Chelsea's hopes of signing James Rodriguez from Real Madrid have suffered a blow after the Colombian told beIN Sports that he is staying put.

What's the latest?

The 25-year-old has been linked with the Premier League outfit in the past month, and speculation intensified when Oscar completed a £60m switch to China.

Rodriguez has not had the easiest two years at the Bernabeu as he has, at times, struggled to hold down a regular place in the team.

The attacking midfielder revealed last month that he had received offers from other clubs, indicating that he may be considering his future.

However, after scoring twice in Real's 3-0 win over Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, Rodriguez told the media that he intends to stay with the Spanish giants.

"All of us who are in the team always want to play but I am fine," he told beIN Sports. "We all go through difficult times and now it's a new year and I have new desires in life. I am staying."

Are Chelsea missing out?

In short, yes. Rodriguez is full of quality and would fit in well to Antonio Conte's team given that he has the ability to thrive in a wider role.

The Colombian would also have been the perfect replacement for Oscar, who left Stamford Bridge following a lack of first-team action this season.

It is rare for teams to pull off a deal for a big-name player in January, but the arrival of Rodriguez in West London would have provided a warning shot to all of Chelsea's rivals.

However, for the meantime at least, the midfielder plans to continue plying his trade in Spain.

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