West Ham transfer news: Hammers sensationally linked to Real Madrid star James Rodriguez

The Colombia international has suffered a mixed spell since joining the La Liga giants in 2014

James has struggled to make his mark at Madrid (Getty)

West Ham have been sensationally linked to Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez.

The Colombia international has suffered a mixed spell at Madrid since joining the La Liga giants in 2014 in a deal reportedly worth €80 million.

Despite enjoying European success with Los Blancos, the 25-year-old has frequently found himself on the periphery of Rafa Benitez and Zinedine Zidane’s teams.

He was notably left on the bench during Madrid’s Champions League final against local rivals Atletico Madrid as his side clinched their eleventh title.

With his place at Madrid anything but a certain, Rodriguez is now contemplating life beyond the Bernabeu.

Despite being relatively settled in the Spanish capital, without the guarantee of first team football the Colombian may be open to joining one of the numerous sides interested in him.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked to the attacking midfielder and Marca has claimed that West Ham have now joined the long list of potential suitors.

Rodriguez has been valued at around €80m by his club and it’s unclear whether the east London side would be willing to match such a high asking fee, despite having the funds to do so.

James Rodriguez didn't play a single minute in Real Madrid's Champions League final (Getty)

Thanks to their generous lease agreement at the Olympic Stadium, the club’s annual costs have been slashed.

With more readily available cash to hand, the Hammers can now command big wage packages. They recently offered former star Carlos Tevez a £150,000-a-week contract in an attempt to bring him back to the club. Despite being snubbed, such an offer attests to the club’s new-found financial clout.

And unlike the other suitors linked to Rodrgiuez, West Ham would undoubtedly be able to guarantee the 25-year-old a starting position. If the Hammers were to pull of such a deal it would surely be the biggest and most lucrative transfers in the club’s history.