James Rodriguez moves ahead of Eriksen in race towards Atletico Madrid Atletico Madrid This should be a decisive week in the saga

Atletico Madrid have been studying the possibilities of signing James Rodriguez and Christian Eriksen and, in the end, they've concluded that the Colombian is their preferred choice.

There was a point when the Tottenham player, whose contract in London expires in 2020, seemed closer to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano than James, but as is stands right now on Monday, July 22, the Real Madrid man is their main target.

James is the cheaper option, as he'd cost around 40 million euros compared to 60m or 70m euros for Eriksen.

This week should be key in the James transfer saga as he is due back for Real Madrid's pre-season training on July 29, following his post-Copa America holiday.

Zinedine Zidane has asked the club to organise the playmaker's exit as soon as possible as he doesn't want a repeat of the kind of tension that having Gareth Bale on tour has caused.

Although Napoli have been in the running for James too, it seems they are set to lose out to Atletico Madrid unless there is a radical last-minute change of circumstances.