Two-time Champions League winner reveals reason for Manchester City transfer snub

Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has revealed the reason for rejecting the opportunity to sign for Manchester City in 2014.

The current Sao Paulo midfielder was a Manchester City transfer target back in 2014, when Manuel Pellegrini targeted the Columbian international during his second summer transfer window as manager at the Etihad Stadium.

Frank Lampard, Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando were amongst Manchester City’s signings during that transfer window, with the club missing out on James Rodriguez from AS Monaco.

The 32-year-old completed an €80 million move to the La Liga giants in July 2014, and won the UEFA Champions League twice during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Rodriguez went on to play for Bayern Munich before eventually playing in the Premier League, joining Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park, where the Italian managed Everton for a brief period of time between 2019 and 2021.

The midfielder could however have played Premier League football much sooner, having snubbed an offer from Manchester City in favour of signing for Real Madrid.

Speaking in a recent interview with Twitch program Pelicanger and relayed by Sport Witness, the midfielder has revealed his reason for rejecting Manchester City’s offer.

“Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City wanted me. They made better offers than Real Madrid, but I wanted glory,” said the 32-year-old.

“I wanted Real Madrid. Perez called me and said to convince me: ‘What do you want? Do you want money or glory?’. I replied that I wanted glory and he said: ‘Well, then it’s done’.”