James Rodriguez’s miserable time on Merseyside could soon be over, as the Colombian travels to Qatar to discuss a move away from Everton.
The 30-year-old has reportedly wanted away from the club since manager Carlo Ancelotti, the main reason for the Colombian coming to the club, left to return to Real Madrid in La Liga.
It is not known whether the man who replaced Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, has Rodriguez in his plans or not, but, regardless, it seems the player wants away.
Rodriguez played a part in Everton’s pre-season but has not played a competitive game for the club since 16 May, when they lost 1-0 to relegated Sheffield United. His absence in this early stages of the campaign is said to have been down to a COVID-related issue, but fans would dispute that claim.
The attacking midfielder is rumoured to be on around £200,000 a week, so getting him off the wage bill would save the club a significant amount of money. Benitez voiced his frustration about not being able to bring in more signings due to Financial Fair Play rules. Moving Rodriguez on would help ease that frustration.
James Rodriguez is in talks with a club in Qatar as Everton want to sell him, per @_pauljoyce pic.twitter.com/fIeZpLe3KQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 20, 2021
Bringing in the two-time Champions League winner was seen as a statement of intent by Everton, alongside the employment of Ancelotti.
A lot of fans believed the pair would propel them into the quest for European football, and aid their growth as a whole. In the end, they failed to live up to the hype – finishing 10th – with Sheffield born forward, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, being the star of their season.
On Merseyside, Rodriguez made 26 appearances, scoring 6 goals and registering 9 total assists.
It is not yet known, the identity of the club that Rodriguez is in talks with, but it looks more and more likely that the Colombian will move on and leave his indifferent spell in England behind him.