After a dissapointing season under his new boss Zinedine Zidane, James Rodriguez has been linked with a possible move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, merely 2 years after his £71 million transfer from Monaco.

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United have been linked with a move for the attacking midfielder ,which would give Rodriguez the chance to play at another of the continent's powerhouses.

However, in a shocking revelation, West Ham have reportedly expressed their interest in signing the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner too.

Seemingly trying to prepare for life at their new stadium, Billic is looking to bring in a player who stands as the 6th highest transfer of all time.

Despite a fantastic season during the 2015/16 campaign and a new stadium to boot, they aren't the richest club by any stretch and a player like the Colombian would break their bank account.

With that being said, all of you drinking at the Transfer Tavern today, get outside into the beer garden and enjoy the weather as we take you through the FIVE cheaper alternatives to James Rodriguez for West Ham.

Isco

Another Real Madrid star who is completely under used at the club, most of Isco's performances come as a substitute for Zidane's side.

Joining from Malaga for €30m in 2013, the 2012 'Golden Boy' has found a consistent first team place hard to come by and probably wouldn't shun the idea of a move away from Madrid in order to gain more first team football.

Isco has everything you could want from an attacking midfielder, unfortunately for him unless you are quite literally the best player in your position in the world, it is doubtful that you will get into the Los Blancos first team.

A smart attacking player who is good on the ball and is capable of picking out a pass or moving into the box for a shot himself, the 24-year old would still be an expensive transfer for The Hammers', though a shade cheaper than his teammate.

Juan Mata

The transfer saga surrounding Manchester United's Juan Mata shows no sign of being resolved any time soon.

It wouldn't be out of the question to suggest that the new United boss, Jose Mourinho is looking to offload the spaniard given that is exactly what he did upon his return to Chelsea a few seasons ago.

If that is the case, and United are going to sell the World Cup winner, then he could be just the sort of player the Irons are looking for. H

e is experienced, having won the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League during his time with Chelsea whilst also being very decorated at international level.

His mixture of talent and experience could prove to be priceless for West Ham as they venture into the new league season, hoping to improve on their 7th place finish in the 2016/17 league season.

Marek Hamsik

The fact that Marek Hamsik has remained on Napoli's books for just under 10 years still surprises me. A few years ago, the Slovakian attacking midfielder would have fit in at any club in the world yet remained at the Serie A side.

Now a 28-year old veteran, he is arguably better than he has ever been after an impressive Euro 2016 with Slovakia so would now be the time for him to make his move away from Italian football?

Hamsik is a leader, and someone who can change a game in a matter of minutes for his side, something West Ham may need should Payet leave the club this Summer.

Nabil Fekir

Now for the most unknown player on this list. To put it simply, Nabil Fekir is young, full of quality with more to come and already part of a solid Lyon starting 11.

The 23-year old attacking midfielder can, according to France manager Didier Deschamps, 'bring something different' to a side.

He is a player similar to that of Frank Lampard, a midfielder who loves to get forward and into the box to score goals as the main part of his game, but is also very capable of finding the odd assist here or there as well.

A con to signing Fekir would be the fact that he suffered three ruptured ligaments in his right knee whilst playing for France which sidelined him for months and meant he barely played a minute of the 2015/16 season for Lyon.

Overlooking that, a pro to signing Fekir would be the fact that he won't be on many teams radars at the moment.

Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley needs a fresh start.

He's hit a sort of stalemate in Merseyside for Everton and as a result, didn't feature at all for England at the Euro 2016 championships.

The young playmaker is a very capable player and in his short time in the spotlight of English football has shown glimpses of true quality, unfortunately with the Toffees' poor finish to the season those glimpses have become fewer and further between.

Perhaps a move to West Ham can be the catalyst for Barkley's revival as one of England's brightest young talents.

Only time will tell where his career path takes him but it's doubtful that he would set The Hammers' back more than £30 million at this point and in this modern age of football, that is a small price to pay for a player who may well turn out to be the best in his position one day.