Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez has been handed a European passport.

Currently on-loan with Bayern Munich, the Colombia captain now no longer takes up a non-EU place - so making him more attractive to European rivals.

Bayern can sign James outright for €42m, though chief exec Karl Heinz Rummenigge stated recently: "We are not going to pay €42m for someone who is not going to play."

James could yet earn a fresh chance at Real, where he gets along with coach Zinedine Zidane.

The midfielder is coming to the end of a two season loan with Bayern.