Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has spoken for the first time regarding reports of Colombia captain James Rodriguez being linked to the club.

Rodriguez is still a Real Madrid player after completing his 2-year loan spell at Baryen Munich but is reportedly not in coach Zinadine Zidane’s plans for next season.

Atletico are reportedly in hot pursuit of the 28-year-old as a potential replacement for Antoine Griezman, who joined Barcelona, and the Madrid side’s president broke silence over the issue.

“Atletico are interested in great players and James is a great player, but from that to he’s going to come, there’s some distance,” said Cerezo when he was asked about the issue today, as stated by Spanish publication Marca.