Colombian ace James Rodriguez has reiterated his desire to stay with Real Madrid despite a lack of first-team opportunities, Metro reports.

What's the word?

Since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu after setting the 2014 World Cup alight with Colombia, James Rodriguez has struggled to cement a regular position in the first-team line-up of the La Liga leaders and has been regularly linked with an exit.

Premier League duo Manchester United and Chelsea have long been linked with a move for the 25-year-old but the South American has cemented his future to Los Blancos with his latest comments, where he reiterated his desire to stay with the Spanish side.

That's bad news for Chelsea and Manchester United, who were both linked with a swoop in January as reports stated the Red Devils made an enquiry whilst Rodriguez snubbed the chance to move to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

What was said?

Quoted by Metro, James Rodriguez said after Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Napoli on Wednesday evening:

‘I think that everything is fine, the Real is a great club and I always wanted to play here. The good and bad times always come, but I want to stay here long (term).’

Will he stay?

Rodriguez may struggle to find regular opportunities in the Spanish capital but the fact he's still just 25 certainly works in his favour, especially as Luka Modric turns 32 in the early stages of next season and hs limited years left at the top.

However, competition for places is fierce at Real Madrid and Rodriguez still has to compete with the likes of Isco, Casemiro, Marco Asensio and Mateo Kovacic for a central-midfield spot, whilst the more attacking areas seem near impossible to break into.

That leaves the door open for a future move to the Premier League but any switch is unlikely to occur this summer, as Rodriguez will not want to risk jeopardising his spot with Colombia ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

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