Chelsea and Manchester United set to face disappointment after Real Madrid star James Rodriguez confirmed that he will not be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this month.
Los Blancos defeated Sevilla 3-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie on Wednesday evening, despite the absence of several first team players.
Rodriguez gave Zinedine Zidane’s men the lead just eleven minutes into the game and again struck just a few minutes before half time from the penalty spot.
The Colombian, who has struggled to enjoy regular playing time this season, has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid.
Premier League outfits Chelsea and Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with moving to sign the Colombia international, who has been unhappy at not playing regularly.
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However, Rodriguez has made it clear that his future lies with the Champions League winners.
"All of us in this squad want to play and we all go through difficult times but now a new year begins for me and I will stay in Madrid", Rodriguez was quoted as saying Spanish daily Marca.
"I just want to play well when I am given the opportunity.
"I want to be able to do good things like today when I helped the team by making goals", added the 25-year-old.
Rodriguez has made just 17 appearances in all competitions and has four goals and nine assists to his name.
He will be aiming to put in more such performances to feature in Zidane’s starting eleven regularly.
