Everton midfielder James Rodriguez remains an option for AC Milan as boss Stefano Pioli continues searching for Hakan Calhanoglu’s replacement, according to Corriere dello Sport.
However, the Rossoneri would ask Rodriguez to accept a pay cut to move to the San Siro this summer. His Toffees contract is far beyond the Serie A side’s budget and will block any transfer from occurring at present.
Pioli also has several alternative targets on his shortlist in case a move for Rodriguez does not work out. The Italian tactician admires Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech, Atalanta star Josip Ilicic and former Everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic, among many.
Everton awarded Rodriguez a £90,000-per-week, three-year contract after joining from Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer. The Colombian enjoyed a mostly productive debut campaign when on the field, as well, but also suffered with frequent injuries.
Rodriguez stunned from the start with three goals and three assists in his first five Premier League appearances. The 30-year-old would end the term with six goals and five assists, including a vital equaliser against Manchester United and assisting in beating Liverpool.
But he also sat out 14 top-flight fixtures, after suffering with groin and a raft of calf injuries. And Rodriguez already now faces an uncertain Everton future amid interest from AC Milan.
The Liverpool Echo recently reported Rafa Benitez is open to the Carlo Ancelotti signing leaving Merseyside this summer. The Spaniard is stamping his mark on the Goodison Park ranks to suit the style of play fans will see. Even at the expense of game-changing players.
Rodriguez must make sacrifice to leave Everton for AC Milan
Rodriguez faces a big decision this summer amid an uncertain Everton future and interest from AC Milan. Either he stays and fights for his place under Benitez, a manager who does not back him 100%. Or he leaves and takes a pay cut to work with a coach in Pioli who will.
Rodriguez would make a big sacrifice by forgoing part of his Everton salary to join AC Milan, though. The Colombian already gave up a large part of his pay to unite with Ancelotti from Real Madrid last summer.
Reports by The Guardian at the time of his move claimed Rodriguez was earning £140k-p/w at the Santiago Bernabeu. But he gave up almost a third of his salary to join Ancelotti at Everton, and may be loath to give up even more to join Milan after an injury-plagued year.
Instead, Rodriguez may snub the Rossoneri and strive to show Benitez what he can offer at Goodison Park. Ancelotti was full of praise for the playmaker from the off last term, noting in September, via the Liverpool Echo:
“He has to adapt to his new teammates and know their movements and his teammates have to adapt to know his quality better. [But] he did four days of training, and his performance [against Tottenham] was outstanding. This is what he can do on the pitch.”
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