James Rodríguez is too expensive for São Paulo, the Brazilian club ruled out signing him

At the age of 30, Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez has signed a contract with Al Rayyan SC until June 30, 2024, however, his continuity has not been as expected for a footballer who has played in four of Europe's five major leagues in the last decade.

His sporting future is uncertain and after having scored the only goal of the 0-1 victory against Venezuela in Puerto Ordaz for the Conmebol qualifiers, the Colombian would already be looking for another destination ahead of the 2022/23 international football season.

One of the rumors about Rodríguez Rubio's new whereabouts was related to Brasileirão, or first division of Brazil, more specifically in the traditional champion of America: São Paulo.

Regarding the alleged interest of the São Paulo team in taking over the services of the experienced Cucuteño flyer, Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola spoke directly with the club's president, Julio Casares, who denied that there will be an upcoming hire for the third historical top scorer of the tricolor team.

Casares commented that, “there is not the slightest chance of signing James, we don't have the financial conditions” and that instead they have bet on younger players with a lower market cost and salary. Such is the case of Vallecaucano midfielder and pivot Andrés Colorado, who won the BetPlay II 2021 League with Deportivo Cali and returned from his loan to Cortuluá FC to be loaned now to São Paulo, a club he arrived at since February 25 and where he will be playing until December 31 of this year.

Thus, a new possibility has been closed for the '10′ of the Colombia national team, which has not been able to stabilize his sports career again after leaving Everton led by Rafael Benítez in September 2021 and where he could only become champion of the Florida Cup 2021 preseason tournament in the United States.

On the other hand, the season of the tricolor player was not the best at the national level, as he was able to score only four goals in 12 matches played. This elimination of the cycle started by Carlos Queiroz and ended by Reinaldo Rueda could mean his last cycle of participations with the national team for the upcoming world cup (United States 2026).

Peru overtook Colombia and won the Conmebol play-off to face the UAE and Australia winner in the Asian AFC play-off and at the same time his club, Al Rayyan SC was out of the Qatar Cup, far down in the league standings and almost fighting to avoid falling into relegation positions for the next sports campaign.

As for James Rodríguez's balance since his arrival at the Qatari club, he has played 14 matches counting the Qatar Stars League, the Qatar Stars Cup and the Qatar Emir Cup. He has since scored five goals and recorded six assists in five wins, two draws and seven losses.

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