FC Bayern Munich has now officially confirmed the farewell of Colombian top star James (27). The loaner from Real Madrid himself had asked FC Bayern not to use the purchase option agreed with the royals. Where James is drawn to is unknown. Most recently, the SSC Naples and Juventus Turin were considered very interested.
“I thank James for two successful years. We won the German Championship and the DFB Cup twice with him and also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. James has made an important contribution to all these successes,” Bavaria’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (63) was quoted in a press release.
The Bavarian boss had already talked about James’ departure from Sport1 and Sport Bild on Tuesday.
“The option to draw against his will makes no sense. One should not obligate a player for 42 million Euros with a corresponding salary, if one cannot offer him a fixed position”, Rummenigge had said and once again outed himself as a “fan of his playing culture”.
James had come to the Isar from Real in 2017 for two years. In 67 compulsory games for the Bavarians he scored 15 goals and gave 20 templates.
While he got along well with the former Bavarian coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Jupp Heynckes, his relationship with Niko Kovac was not without problems.
“It’s been two unforgettable years and I’ve always felt very comfortable. I take the best memories with me,” James was quoted as saying.
