Chelsea are not willing to meet Real Madrid's £70m asking price for James Rodriguez.

The Blues continue to to be linked in Spain with Real Madrid's unwanted attacking midfielder Rodriguez.

The Colombia international didn't even make the bench for their Champions League Final win over Juventus last month.

Indeed, Rodriguez made just 13 La Liga starts for Real this term and has failed to nail down a regular first-team place since his arrival at the Bernabeu in 2014.

Despite his limited role, Real are still looking to make a profit on Rodriguez, who arrived in Spain for a fee in the region of £63million after a successful World Cup campaign three years ago.

The Champions League holders are still asking for £70m for the 25-year-old, but it is unlikely Chelsea will agree such a sum for a fringe player.

Meanwhile, Diego Costa is prepared to go out on loan next season to secure a move to Atletico Madrid.

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The Spanish club are banned from registering any new players until January, but have the option of buying players and loaning them elsewhere until the New Year.