James Rodriguez has no plans for Real Madrid return: 'my future is at Bayern'

Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez has dismissed claims he could return to Real Madrid from his loan spell at Bayern Munich early and said he hopes to make his move to the German giants permanent. Rodriguez, 27, joined Bayern on a two-year loan deal last summer after struggling to hold down a regular starting berth under former Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane. Media reports in Spain claim Madrid are keen to take Rodriguez back to the Spanish capital following Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Italian champions Juventus. _____________ Read more: Exclusive: Andreas Pereira on establishing himself at Manchester United Real Madrid: Lopetegui vows to meet expectations of 'most demanding club in the world' Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri 'wants to keep strongest players' amid Hazard and Courtois exit talk _____________ However, the Colombian said he has no plans to leave Bayern and has outlined his desire to remain in Bavaria beyond the end of the loan spell. "I think my future is here. There are a lot of rumours, they talk about a lot of clubs, but right now I'm thinking about Bayern Munich," Rodriguez said. "When I look back at my first year at Bayern I am very happy. This year I want to win more trophies and also be a big help to the team. "We have a team that works well together and so everything is possible. I want to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich whatever it takes." Rodriguez signed for Madrid in the summer of 2014 amid much fanfare following his stunning performances at the World Cup in Brazil. But after an impressive first season that saw Rodriguez score 13 goals and produce 13 assists in 29 Primera Liga matches, the Colombian's game-time was progressively reduced: 17 league starts in the 2015/16 season was followed by 13 starts in 2016/17, before securing his loan move to Bayern. While Rodriguez's contract at Madrid runs until 2021, the midfielder is targeting a permanent switch to Bayern. "I'm good here, and why not stay here for years? If they want me to be here, I'll be thankful with them because it's a club that put its confidence in me, so I feel all their love. Why not stay here for years? I think it's a good option," he said. "It'd be a really good option for me to continue here. I'm good here, it's my present and I'm not going to think about anything else."

James Rodriguez has no plans for Real Madrid return: 'my future is at Bayern'

Colombian midfielder is halfway through a loan spell at the German champions but reports claim Madrid want him to return to replace Ronaldo