James Rodriguez was supposed to be so much more than something of a journey man midfielder.
Yes, the playmaker has graced some of the best clubs in European football but after six goals and two assists in the 2014 World Cup for Colombia, he was tipped to compete for the Ballon d'Or at some point in his career.
But now aged 29, Rodriguez has become the forgotten man at Real Madrid after six disappointing years, with the predominantly left-footed player having spent two years of that with Bayern Munich on loan.
Now Rodriguez has been linked with Arsenal ahead of next month's return to Premier League action but there is a big reason why the Colombian star is unlikely to ever join the Gunners.
Rodriguez was interviewed over the weekend about why his time at Bayern never blossomed into a permanent deal, with the answer something which is transferable to any situation that would end up with him at Arsenal.
"The Germans; first the cold. Then they are very cold people too, although I received a spectacular treatment, it is a club that loved me a lot too, living is not easy, it is cold with -20c (degrees), he explained.
"There were days when that I would go to work at 9 o'clock, I would start the car and when the temperature was at - 28c. And I say: - What am I doing here? What am I doing here with - 28c? Munich is a city with a high quality of life. But I couldn't be comfortable."
Whilst the temperatures in London don't drop to such a low, it's safe to say that the city is still very cold in the winter time and that Rodriguez will be certainly thinking twice about any move to the English capital.
As for the latest reports, the Gunners reportedly remain the club which has shown the most interest in the Real outcast.
