Everton open talks with Real Madrid over James Rodriguez

Everton are in talks over a deal for James Rodriguez, talkSPORT understands.

The Real Madrid playmaker, 29, is not wanted by boss Zinedine Zidane and the Spanish giants are eager to ship him out this summer.

Rodriguez made just eight LaLiga appearances last season, having spent the previous two campaigns out on loan at Bayern Munich.

Now Everton have offered him an escape route from the Bernabeu, with talks under way over a potential deal.

Rodriguez is out of contract next summer and the Toffees are working to sign him on a permanent basis, although a loan agreement is also a possibility.

Galatasaray are also pursuing the player, although Carlo Ancelotti hopes his relationship with Rodriguez will help swing it for Everton.

Ancelotti was in charge of Real when they paid £63million to sign Rodriguez from Porto in July 2014 in what was the fourth-most expensive transfer in the world at the time.

He then took the attacking midfielder with him to Bayern Munich on loan in the summer of 2017 before being axed months later.

Speaking back in July, Ancelotti admitted his admiration for Rodriguez.

“James Rodriguez? I like, I like a lot as a player,” said the Italian.

“When I left Madrid, James Rodriguez followed me to Munich. He came to play. But he followed me as a rumour to Napoli and now he is following me to here Everton as a rumour.

“I have to be honest – I like him a lot.”

 

 

Exit mobile version