Manchester United have assured James Rodriguez he will inherit the No10 shirt.

The Sunday World says United have 'agreed a deal' to sign Real Madrid star James

James had been expected to move to United after an indifferent three years in the Spanish capital following a £71m move in the summer of 2014 and now it appears a deal to take the 25-year-old to United is edging closer.

Yahoo Sport is reporting the Old Trafford club have already promised the Colombian playmaker that he will wear their No.10 jersey next season.

The close working relationship between James's agent Jorge Mendes and United manager Jose Mourinho – who is another of his clients – is likely to ease the progress of the transfer, with all parties open to a swift conclusion to the deal.

While Real Madrid chiefs insist James has not signed an agreement with United yet, the basis of a deal for him to move to England has been in place for some time.