This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...
Spanish outlet El des Marque are reporting that Real Madrid are ready to offer of €100m (£86.5m) plus James Rodriguez for Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.
What's the story?
It appears that the France international is attracting a lot of interest right now. It had previously been reported that Juventus were looking to sign the 28-year-old as well (Ilbianconero.com via Calciomercato.com).
Now, though, it is Los Merengues who are linked, and they are said to be willing to offer €100m (£86.5m) plus the Colombia international for the former Leicester City man.
They also add that it is Kante's "dream" to move to the Santiago Bernabeu and that he does not believe the Blues are aiming to win "any important title" while Frank Lampard is manager.
A better option than Barkley
Of course, losing Kante would be a huge blow, but if he truly dreams of joining Real, then it would be wrong to stop him from leaving.
The cushion of €100m (£86.5m) and a new player would be a nice consolation prize anyway.
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As such, it makes more sense to look at what Rodriguez would bring to the side were he to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.
With Ross Barkley struggling for form and a place in the Chelsea side - he has seen just 415 minutes of action so far this season while providing no assists ans a single goal - the former AS Monaco man would bring a huge creative boost to the team.
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In 32 Bundesliga starts for Bayern Munich during a loan spell, he racked up 14 goals and 14 assists, a rather impressive number. Meanwhile, the former Everton man, who cost the Blues £15m, has five goals and six assists in 23 starts in the Premier League for the Blues.
In terms of chances created, there is little to no contest. Barkley managed 0.8 per match in the league last season, compared to the 28-year-old's 2.6.
He also has the top-quality experience that the England international just doesn't possess. He has won the Champions League on two separate occasions and has lifted no less than four league titles as well. He has also showed his quality at the highest level, winning the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup.
Barkley, meanwhile, has an F.A Cup and a Europa League to his name.
James' arrival, then, could well set the clock ticking on Barkley's Chelsea career, and one has to feel he would be a major upgrade on the current Blues ace.