Napoli are closing in on a deal for Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez.

According to Sky Sports Italia, the Partenopei director Cristiano Giuntoli flew out to the Spanish capital on Monday for advanced negotiations with Real Madrid and Rodriguez’s agent Jorge Mendes.

Atletico Madrid remain interested in securing the 27-year-old’s services, but the Colombian reportedly wants to work with Carlo Ancelotti again.

The Serie A side hope to finalise a deal in the coming days, with the only issue being whether Real Madrid agree to Napoli initially taking him on loan with an option to buy later.

The former Monaco man spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich but after a disappointing loan spell, the Bundesliga giants decided against extending the option in the contract, with James now seeking new opportunities to further his career.