According to the Express, Everton have joined the race to sign Real Madrid and Colombia star James Rodriguez.
Do Everton have a chance to sign him?
The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu and has made just seven appearances in the league this season.
That comes after he spent two years on loan at German champions Bayern Munich from 2017-2019.
Now though, following a poor season in Madrid, Rodriguez is set to leave Los Blancos and Everton are the latest team to throw their name into the equation.
Manchester United and Juventus, among others, have been linked with a move for the Colombian star but Everton could have a slight advantage over these football giants.
The advantage comes in the shape of Everton’s very own footballing giant, Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian managed Rodriguez for a year at Real Madrid and was also the man to bring him to Bayern Munich on loan in 2017, despite being sacked a few month later.
According to Italian football journalist Nicolo Schira, the Colombian star is keen to work with Everton boss Ancelotti again.
Schira wrote on Twitter: “#Everton are in a bid to sign #RealMadrid’s midfielder #JamesRodriguez this summer.
“James himself would be keen on a reunion with manager Carlo #Ancelotti at Goodison Park.”
James Rodriguez needs to leave Madrid
Rodriguez has been at the Bernabeu since 2014 having shot to fame with some massively impressive performances at World Cup in Brazil.
His performance at football’s biggest tournament attracted a lot of interest but there were no quarrels about where he’d end up. Then at Monaco, Rodriguez moved to Madrid for £63m.
Rodriguez most definitely needs to leave the Bernabeu. He’s right in the midst of the prime years of his career at 28.
If Everton can offer him the chance to play the way he wants in a system he knows with a manager his familiar with, I see no reason why it can’t happen.
As for price, TransferMarkt currently value Rodriguez at £28m, which is a fair amount given how this last season has gone.
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