According to beIN Sports reporter Tancredi Palmeri, Colombia and Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez has agreed a contract with Premier League Everton worth £4million a year ahead of a move to Merseyside. Although the two clubs are yet to agree on a fee, it seems that a compromise will be reached, as the 29-year-old’s contract expires next summer and he wants the move to reunite with Toffees head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
A special relationship between player and coach
Rodriguez to Everton, who don’t have European football next season, seems like a strange move. However, the main draw of a move to the Merseysider’s is the attraction of working with former head coach Carlo Ancelotti, The Italian boss got the best out of the Colombian international star at Real Madrid, before then signing him again at Bayern Munich. The pair developed a close relationship and it will reportedly be enough to help persuade Rodriguez of a move to the Toffees.
James has shined when playing regular football
Since winning the World Cup Golden boot in 2014, James Rodriguez has never quite fulfilled his potential. Rodriguez joined Real Madrid as one of the most promising footballers in the world. He had the world at his feet.
Some have claimed that the Colombian star has underperformed since the move. However, in truth, when Rodriguez has been happy and playing regularly James has thrived. For instance, in his debut season in Madrid, he scored 13 goals and produced 13 assists in La Liga.
He has scored at least seven league goals every season since his debut campaign in the Spanish capital. That may not be an impressive stat for a potential superstar, but he has not always started for the clubs he has represented. Some of his biggest moves have simply not worked out for the playmaker.
At Everton, there is no doubt that James Rodriguez will be a first-team regular if fit of course. The fans will love him if he produces, Ancelotti loves him, so the playmaker could well thrive on Merseyside and fulfil whatever potential he has not yet fulfilled.
Ancelotti attempting to strengthen his squad
Last season was yet another disappointing one for Everton, who finished the season in 12th place. To be fair to Ancelotti he only took over in November and inherited a squad that is simply not good enough for their top-six ambitions. The Toffees have some major squad rebuilding to do this summer, even though the Merseysider’s have spent big in recent transfer windows. An area of the pitch that Everton needs to improve is the centre of midfield.
Media reports suggest that the Toffees are in talks to sign Napoli midfielder Allan and also Watford star Abdoulaye Doucoure. Both players are reportedly keen to join the club from Merseysider’s. However, it seems that there is still work to do to get those deals complete.
It is a big few weeks for Everton before the new Premier League kick-off. There is a big chance that the Toffees boss will be able to get the players he wants ahead of the new league campaign. To be successful the Merseysider’s have to add more signings to what could be the massive signing of James Rodriguez.
Will James Rodriguez’s move to Everton work out well for everybody?
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