James Rodriguez in talks over his next bizarre transfer after MLS sojourn

8 Sept 2026 16:32 BST | 7 min read

James Rodriguez, Minnesota, 2026 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

Make us your Google favourite

Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is in talks over a surprising return to Europe after his brief stint at Minnesota United in Major League Soccer.

Article continues under the video

The Colombia captain has been on a veritable world tour since leaving Real Madrid for Everton in 2020. Rodriguez has played in Qatar, Greece, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and the United States in the past six years.

He has not remained with any of his clubs for more than one season since his stint at Real Madrid, and his most recent spell at Minnesota ended after just six months. The fact that he even joined the Loons in the first place was baffling.

Current ETV

James Rodríguez

AM, M (C)

James Rodríguez

AM, M (C)

ETV Range

€0.6M - €0.9M

Having complained about the wintry climate in Munich during his two-year loan at Bayern Munich in the late 2010s, the 35-year-old made the bizarre decision to head to the coldest metropolitan area in the US earlier this year.

Predictably, memes of Rodriguez looking miserable in the freezing cold quickly made the rounds on social media, but he was never in it for the long haul anyway. He only joined the MLS franchise in order to keep himself fit for the World Cup.

Rodriguez set to move to Italy?

Rodriguez consciously signed only a six-month contract with Minnesota, and while there was the option to extend it for the entire MLS season, that was never a realistic scenario. Unsurprisingly, he departed the club again on 30 June.

His brief sojourn to the Twin Cities did have the desired effect, however. The veteran playmaker was fit enough to start every game for Colombia at the World Cup, and he actually put in a couple of impressive performances at Minnesota.

When he was able to play for the Loons, he was the best player on the pitch. Although he obviously isn't as mobile as he used to be - and this was never his biggest strength anyway - his vision, technical ability and creativity remain at an elite level.

It is therefore somewhat surprising that he remains a free agent three months after leaving Minnesota. However, that could be about to change. If his move to Minnesota was bizarre, his next transfer could be equally eyebrow-raising.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian second-division side Avellino are working on a potential deal to sign the 35-year-old. This move would allow Rodriguez to return to Europe - and to a warmer climate.

A transfer to Serie B would nevertheless be quite a shock, although the Italian lower leagues have managed to attract some extremely high-profile players recently.

Former Bayern and Juventus winger Douglas Costa briefly played for the revamped Chievo Verona in Serie D earlier this year, while Brazilian legend Ronaldinho has come out of retirement to sign with Ravenna in Serie C with the aim of playing in at least one competitive match.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ravenna Football Club (@ravennafootballclub)

Avellino, meanwhile, are showing some ambition under the stewardship of AC Milan icon Alessandro Nesta. They recently shattered their transfer record to sign Walid Cheddira from Napoli for €2.5 million.

A previous iteration of the Campanian club spent 10 years in Serie A in the late 1970s and 80s. The current version of the club was created in 2018 and won promotion to Serie B in 2025.

There is no guarantee that Rodriguez will end up joining the Wolves, but the club are actively trying to make this "dream" move a reality. They have been working on a potential deal for the two-time Champions League winner for about a month.

Rodriguez is said to have "opened his eyes to Serie B" after the offers he received from top European leagues were not "enticing" enough. It remains to be seen if Avellino can pull off this coup.