James has professed his enjoyment of life in Munich on several occasions since arriving from Real Madrid in the summer. - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm
James has professed his enjoyment of life in Munich on several occasions since arriving from Real Madrid in the summer. - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm

Colombia star James Rodriguez set for extended Bayern Munich stay

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Citing his happiness in the Bavarian capital, James Rodriguez has issued an emphatic statement as to how long he intends to stay at Bayern Munich.

On loan at the Bavarian giants until summer 2019, the Colombian's response was crystal clear when asked by German sports magazine kicker how long he plans to remain in the Bundesliga.

"I'm staying here," James said. "My present is here and I'm very happy in Munich. I don't want to think about anything else."

Watch: Bayern's was a Hinrunde of two halves that ended on a high!

Bayern do have an option to purchase the playmaker at the end of his loan spell, and James has repeatedly professed his enjoyment of life in Germany and the Bundesliga in recent weeks.

"I like the stadiums in the Bundesliga a lot," said James on Thursday, speaking from Bayern's training camp in Qatar. "They're always full. You also play against very good teams, it's a top league."

Before any purchasing options can be exercised next summer, there is the small matter of a three-pronged trophy assault that will dominate Bayern's focus until the end of the season.

Watch: James on life in the Bundesliga

"I have a very good feeling with the team," said James. "I hope things go well in the second half of the season because I still want to achieve a lot with this team."

Part of Bayern's recent success - the Bundesliga champions boast an 11-point cushion at the top of the standings - is no doubt down to the 26-year-old's swift adaption to German football: James has scored twice and returned three further assists in the Bundesliga so far this term, as well as helping Jupp Heynckes' side to a place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

"I slowly found my rhythm," James said of his personal first half of the season. "It helped that I got so much playing time."

"Jupp Heynckes is a top coach - second to none worldwide. We speak a lot and it helps me that he speaks Spanish."

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