Botafogo owner confirms interest in James: “It’s a dream”

In principle, his wish would be to return to European football, but the future of James Rodríguez could be in Brazil. His departure from Al Rayyan, that the preseason has already started without the presence of the Colombian, seems safe and in the interest of clubs from the Old Continent Botafogo’s intention to hire him has been added.

In an interview with Lance, the owner of the Brazilian team, John Textor, confirmed that the interest is real and that they are in talks with the ’10′ to try to sign him. Days ago, BeIN Sports had reported on the possibility for the midfielder to be transferred to the Brasileirao.

“I love him. My children grew up watching the Colombian national team and he was one of their favorite players. It is rare to have the possibility of being able to hire such a talent in South America, I think he still has many good years left in Europe. But we have big dreams, we are going through a moment of transformation in Brazil, with the new League. It could be a long try He would be a player who would transform everything for us, so we will try.” said the owner of Botafogo.

Textor knows that the negotiation is not easy, but he hopes to convince James to become a new Fogão player. According to Lance, Al Rayyan is seeking about $5.5 million to let the midfielder out.

“I can’t speak for him. It is a reality that we want him and a dream if we hire him. Until I decide, it’s just a dream. We are talking to him. For now it is very verbal, conversations where he could fit (in the project). It is not something in ‘black and white’, it is a proposal, there is a conversation that happens before”, concluded the president of Botafogo, who recently is also the largest shareholder of Olympique de Lyon

for now, James Rodríguez has a contract in Qatar until mid-2024. In his first season at Al Rayyan, the club he joined in September of last year, he registered 15 games, between the local League and the Emir Cup, 5 goals and 6 assists.