Arsenal have been linked with James Rodriguez several times over the years, but a deal never materialised, nor is one ever likely to.
There was a time where the Colombian was considered to be one of the best creative midfielders in world football. After successful spells with Porto and Monaco, Rodriguez earned a big-money move to the Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid.
Although he won two La Liga’s and two UEFA Champions Leagues during a six-year spell with Real Madrid – two of which were spent on loan with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, where he won two Bundesliga titles – Rodriguez never fully hit the heights expected of him when he burst onto the scene all those years ago.
Rodriguez had always been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, too, but when he finally did get a move to the Premier League, it was with an unlikely suitor in Everton.
Despite netting six goals in 22 appearances for the Toffees, Everton were happy to allow the Colombian to depart in the summer, as he clinched a move to the Qatar Stars League with Al Rayyan.
You’d think that even now he’s a little too talented for the level on show in Qatar, but his debut performance for his new outfit suggested otherwise, as his poor night again emphasised his stunning fall from grace.
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Al Rayyan were convincingly defeated 3-0 to Al Duhail - who are incidentally so far unbeaten in their respective domestic campaign – and Rodriguez failed to have any impact on the game.
Arsenal fans would’ve been desperate to see their club sign Rodriguez at some point over the past decade or so, but perhaps this one can be attributed to good fortune as, essentially, the Gunners’ decision not to make a move was probably the right one.
