Everton are set to sell James Rodriguez to Atletico Madrid and immediately turn to sign Lazio forward Joaquin Correa as the Colombian’s replacement, per Corriere dello Sport.
Rodriguez’s future at Goodison Park has been enshrouded with doubt since Carlo Ancelotti left to take over at Real Madrid. The midfielder told ESPN Colombia in April he only joined Everton last summer as the Italian was at the helm. And may now follow him back to Spain.
Rafa Benitez does not value what Rodriguez brings to the Everton line-up, per Marca, so is open to his exit. The Spaniard’s stance displeases Rodriguez, who claimed on Twitch recently, via Corriere dello Sport, that he wants to play for a side where he feels valued.
Rodriguez may find his new home under Diego Simeone, with Everton about to sell the ex-Real star to Atletico Madrid. His exit will free Benitez to then make a formal move to beat Inter Milan to signing Correa from Lazio.
But Correa has a wide range of potential suitors, beyond Everton, monitoring his situation at Lazio. Corriere dello Sport also report Arsenal, Leicester, Tottenham and West Ham have made enquires.
Lazio President Claudio Lotito additionally hopes to finalise Correa’s sale this week, while Maurizio Sarri waits on his exit to make his own signings. But the Biancocelesti will only accept offers worth at least €30m (£25.5m), despite Correa asking to leave back in June.
Rodriguez joining Atletico Madrid from Everton is likely the first domino to fall in a decisive week for Correa. Although Tottenham and Arsenal are as interested in the Lazio forward as the Toffees are. So, the race for the Argentine forward may not be over just yet.
Everton happy to offload Rodriguez to sign Lazio forward Correa?
Everton will likely happily offload Rodriguez and replace him with Correa if Benitez does not value the Atletico Madrid target. But the Toffees face a lot of competition, a reducing window and a considerable fee to sign Correa from Lazio.
The Copa America winner could be worth the money if Director of Football Marcel Brands can agree to terms, though. Correa offered 11 goals and six assists across all competitions last season, with eight and four in Serie A respectively.
He was not the leading figure of Simone Inzaghi’s Biancocelesti offence, either. Instead, Correa is happy as the supporting figure, so should combine nicely with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park. Replacing the creativity Rodriguez offered under Ancelotti at Everton, which produced moments like Richarlison’s opener at Liverpool.
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