Everton are said to be interested in bringing James Rodriguez back to Goodison Park this summer on a free transfer.
The Colombia international is a free agent after Olympiacos terminated his contract, and – according to AS – the Toffees are among those keen to offer him a contract.
Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Bournemouth are also believed to be interested, but some comments from James Rodriguez in February 2022 suggest Everton would be his preferred destination.
What’s the story?
Well – as quoted by AS – the South American admitted he would be happy to come back to Everton.
Rodriguez said: “In the end, the coach (Rafa Benitez) didn’t want to count on me, it’s the preferences of each coach, some like you, others don’t and that’s respectable, but I’d come back, why not, I left everything, I always trained, worked and the Everton fanbase is very big and supports well.”
The 31-year-old scored six goals and provided nine assists in 26 appearances for Everton before his time at Goodison Park fell apart following Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Real Madrid and Benitez’s arrival.
However, the Spaniard is now gone with Sean Dyche at the helm instead, so a remarkable return to Merseyside for Rodriguez could be on.
Rodriguez deal surely hinges on Everton surviving
In our view, a deal for Rodriguez will only happen if Everton avoids relegation to the Championship.
A player of the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner’s quality surely won’t want to play in England’s second tier.
Additionally, from a financial aspect, Everton presumably wouldn’t be in a position to pay Rodriguez’s salary demands if they do drop into the Championship.
As detailed by The Athletic, the Toffees are already under investigation for Financial Fair Play breaches, so they have to be careful going forwards.
Nevertheless, if Dyche can guide Everton to survival, a romantic return for Rodriguez could be on.
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EVERTON TRANSFER NEWS: CLUBS TOLD 21-GOAL STRIKER WILL LEAVE EVEN IF HIS TEAM EARNS PROMOTION
Clinton Morrison thinks Viktor Gyokeres will leave Coventry even if they get promoted to the Premier League after ‘Everton was keen’ to sign the striker.
That transfer talk surfaced during the January transfer window when Sean Dyche had just walked through the doors at Everton and he was trying to bring in some much-needed firepower.
In the Championship, Viktor Gyokeres has been one of the league’s best players and he is a big reason why Coventry is in the play-offs and three games away from returning to the Premier League after two decades.
It would be some story because, in comparison to others in the league, they aren’t big spenders or one of the big boys.
But what they do have is a Swedish striker in Gyokeres that has scored 21 goals this season and caught the eye of those in the Premier League – Wolves and Leeds United are the other interested parties.
Some would raise the argument to the Sky Blues that promotion would help them keep the 24-year-old, but former Palace striker Morrison doesn’t think so, as he told Sky Sports News.
“I think he is class,” said Morrison. “It is a big gap from the Championship. But he has done his job scoring that many goals.
“Everton were keen on him and they couldn’t get that deal over the line.
“I think, even if Coventry goes up, I think they might still end up losing him because he is that much of a good player. He scores terrific goals. He has got pace and power, and when he gets in there, he has the composure to finish. He has been key for them. He is just confident and has been outstanding.”
GYOKERES READY FOR THE STEP UP
These are going to be a few nervy weeks for the Coventry fans, and whatever happens, their star striker has to be playing Premier League football next season.
It’s not just his ability to put the ball into the back of the net, but he can hold up the ball and provide a physical presence in the final third.
That all-around package is going to make the interested parties even more keen to bring him on board when the summer transfer window opens.
