James Rodriguez is all but set to leave Real Madrid during the summer, sparking a bidding war between a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United.

Reports from Spanish sports daily AS suggest that manager Zinedine Zidane has lost faith with the Colombian, with Rodriguez only featuring in 33 per cent of Real’s games so far this season.

However, it is not just the coaching staff which have lost confidence in him, the club’s directors are also sensing now is the time to sell and that he is unlikely to be at the Bernabeu next season.

Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Show all 11 1 /11 Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Iker Casillas Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Chendo Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Fernando Hierro Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Sergio Ramos Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Roberto Carlos Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Pirri Nationaal Archief Fotocollectie Anefo Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Zinedine Zidane Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Cristiano Ronaldo Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Francisco Gento Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Raul Getty Real Madrid's greatest-ever XI Alfredo di Stefano Getty

Previously, when Rodriguez has fallen out of favour, support from the club’s hierarchy has kept him in favour but that support is now dwindling.

The 25-year-old is seen as the most marketable player in the squad behind Cristiano Ronaldo given his South American links, but he has been left out of the promotional photos for Fly Emirates, one of the club’s most important sponsors – again suggesting he will not be in the Spanish capital much longer.

If Rodriguez does leave this summer, the main stumbling block would be the fee it would take to prize him away, with Madrid hoping to recoup the €80m the spent to sign him from Monaco after the 2014 World Cup.

Chelsea are the front runners for his signature given Real’s interest in Eden Hazard and he could be offered as a makeweight in that deal or if they go for Thibaut Courtois.