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Chelsea have made an audacious attempt to sign Real Madrid star James Rodriguez on loan.

Real Madrid have blocked the move as president Florentino Perez would prefer to cash in on a £60million permanent deal for the Colombian forward who has become a bit-part player.

But it is understood that James would be open to a move to the Premier League and his family are particularly keen on relocating to England.

Chelsea are anxious to strengthen their squad before the window shuts and Real Madrid may still decide to offload James after signing him for £65million in 2014.

But any deal or potential loan could go down to the wire with several clubs - including Chelsea and Juventus - now watching developments closely.

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(Image: AFP/Getty)

It comes as there appears to be an issue between Zinedine Zidane and James after the Real Madrid boss admitted James’s situation has become a “problem.”

Zidane said earlier in the week: “James is a Real Madrid player. When I answer these questions, it feels as though I want him to leave.

"But he is a Real player and he is under contract. It's true that he has played less minutes and that can be a problem. I always try to make every player feel important. James is the same as the others.”

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