Everton are reportedly planning a shock deal to bring Bayern Munich’s Real Madrid loanee James Rodriguez to the Premier League.
Marcel Brands arrived at Everton last summer with a reputation as one of the most astute transfer experts in Europe.
During his time in Holland with PSV and AZ Alkmaar, Brands discovered such rough diamonds as Gini Wijnaldum, Dries Mertens and Hirving Lozano; players signed for peanuts who would become household names worth multi-million transfer fees.
No wonder links with a certain James Rodriguez have raised eyebrows.
According to Don Balon on Friday, Everton have emerged as a shock destination for the Colombian play-maker, who finds himself between a rock and a hard place.
He is on loan from Bayern Munich but it is uncertain whether he will join the Bundesliga champions permanently. A return to parent club Real Madrid looks unlikely if Zinedine Zidane, who famously omitted Rodriguez from the 2017 Champions League final, is re-appointed by Los Blancos.
Five years ago, James moved to the Santiago Bernabau from Monaco for £71 million (BBC) after winning the World Cup Golden Boot – and that wondergoal against Uruguay.
But is Goodison Park really his next destination? This most surprising of links has certainly got fans talking.
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