Man City join Man Utd in pursuit of James Rodriguez

Manchester City will reportedly fight it out with Manchester United in the race to sign Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez.

The Colombian international has had a frustrating spell with the Bernabeu outfit after having been restricted to just 12 La Liga starts all season.

According to The Sun, via Diario Madrista, the Citizens could provide competition to their City rivals as they seek to lure the 26-year-old to the Etihad this summer.

Jose Mourinho's are understood to have already made a £68m bid for the attacker, but it is believed that their local rivals have matched their offer.

The Champions League is likely to play a key role in Rodriguez's quest for regular first-team football, and this could put United at a disadvantage, should they lose out in the Europa League final.

Rodriguez is said to favour a move to Manchester in the summer but he has set his heart out on working alongside Mourinho next season.