James Rodriguez will reportedly undergo a medical at Everton next week, ahead of a season-long loan move. The Toffees have been in advanced negotiations with Real Madrid over a deal since the start of this week but the marquee addition could kickstart their summer transfer business into life.
Rodriguez is deemed surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu but now looks set to test himself in the Premier League.
He would be Carlo Ancelotti’s first major signing since he was appointed as Everton boss last December, following the sacking of Marco Silva.
Ancelotti has worked with Rodriguez on two occasions already at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Now he could be the man to get his career back on track following a season in the cold.
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The 29-year-old appeared to hint on social media that he was on his way to Merseyside.
He posted an image in the gym captioned “I’m ready,” to tease Everton fans that he was potentially heading to Goodison Park in the near future.
According to talkSPORT, Rodriguez will have his medical next week before putting the finishing touches on the move.
They also add that the deal is a season-long loan as opposed to an immediate permanent deal.
It was only last month that Ancelotti appeared to dismiss the idea of signing his former player Rodriguez.
When asked about potentially bringing him to the club, the Italian said: “James Rodriguez? I like him a lot as a player. When I left Madrid, James Rodriguez followed me to Munich,” he said.
“But he followed me as a rumour to Napoli and now he is following me to Everton as a rumour. I have to be honest – I like him a lot.
“He is a Real Madrid player and I think he will still be a Real Madrid player.”
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Everton are also looking to conclude deals for Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure to bolster their midfield.
Watford want to take Everton’s Anthony Gordon on loan as they bid to return to the top-flight.
Rodriguez’s international team-mate Santiago Arias is also being targeted at right-back.
Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos has also been monitored but he could cost up to £40m and attentions have now turned to James.
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