Bayern Munich Decline Signing Rodriguez Permanently

By Max Wise

Bayern Munich have waived their option of signing James Rodriguez on a permanent deal after the Colombian international expressed a desire to leave.

Rodriguez has just completed a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid with the Bavarians, who had an option of signing the 27-year-old permanently for £37m.

Rodriguez looks set to return to the Spanish capital, where he is also deemed surplus to requirements, leaving his future bleak.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told SportBild and Sport1: "He was with me and told me in a personal conversation that he is asking the club not to trigger the option.”

There were rumors in the German media recently that Bayern were prepared to trigger their option of signing Rodriguez permanently before selling him at a higher price, but those suggestions were debunked by Rummenigge.

“That would not be fair to Real Madrid and not the style of Bayern, we do not engage in trafficking here,” he said, adding that he will personally regret Rodriguez’s departure.

James Rodriguez made 43 Bundesliga appearances during his two-year stay at Bayern Munich, scoring 14 goals as the Bavarians emerged as champions in both campaigns.

Carlo Ancelotti brokered the deal that brought the former FC Porto midfielder to Bayern Munich during his time there as manager, and with the Italian trainer now at Napoli, rumors are rife that Rodriguez could reunite with his old boss at Naples.

Rodriguez came to the attention of the footballing world when he emerged as the top scorer at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with six goals, including goal of the tournament in the round of 16 game between Colombia and Uruguay.