Real Salt Lake contact James Rodríguez ahead of São Paulo exit

The Colombian and the Brazilian side are set to go their separate ways with MLS and Salt Lake City possibly the next destination for the 32-year-old.

Sergio CasallasPaul Reidypaulreidy67Update: Feb 8th, 2024 02:43 EST

Sao Paulo's James Rodriguez

CARLA CARNIELREUTERS

James Rodríguez’s spell with Brazilian football is about to end with the Colombian set to leave São Paulo FC despite having a contract valid until June 2025. According to Globo Esporte (Brazil), the player himself has asked for the deal to be terminated citing unhappiness and distance from his family as mitigating factors.

Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez warms up Full screen

Colombia’s midfielder James Rodriguez warms up JUAN BARRETOAFP

James has not played an official match for more than two months and the last time he was on the field was on 26 November in the goalless draw against Cuiabá as part of the matchday 35 game in the 2023 Brasileirão. This year the midfielder has been involved in preseason without being called up for games in the Paulista Championship or for the Brazilian Super Cup last weekend.

Real Salt Lake contact James Rodríguez ahead of São Paulo exit

James RodríguezSão PaulocentrocampistaColombiaNewsStatistics

After Wednesday’s match between Sao Paulo and Água Santa in Morumbi, where James also did not appear, the São Paulo press reports that the termination of the contract will be signed in the next few hours. “The club has already prepared a statement that will be published after the signing,” claims journalist Gabriel Sá.

According to Sá, James has several open conversations on the go with would-be suitors and plans to continue his career with Real Salt Lake a possible destination. This MLS team is coached by Argentine Pablo Mastroeni and has four Colombian players: Brayan Vera, Nelson Palacio, Carlos Andrés Gómez and Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango in the squad. A move to MLS has always been cited by the Colombian international as a possible destination with the 2024 MLS season set to start at the end of the month.

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De saída do São Paulo, James Rodríguez recebeu contatos do Besiktas (Turquia), Real Salt Lake (EUA) e diversos clubes da América do Sul. A rescisão será assinada entre hoje e amanhã. O clube já tem um comunicado pronto, que será publicado após a assinatura. pic.twitter.com/3POX9j9593

— Gabriel Sá (@OGabrielSa) February 8, 2024