James Rodriguez has a clause in his Al Rayyan contract that allows the former Everton star to join Paris Saint-Germain for free, according to AS, as translated by TuttoMercatoWEB.
The Colombian’s Goodison Park career ended after 12-months and 14-days after moving to Qatar on Wednesday. Everton confirmed Rodriguez joined Al Rayyan for an undisclosed fee in a brief 326-word statement, without thanking the 30-year-old for his efforts at the club.
Rodriguez had moved to Merseyside last September to reunite with Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian walked away this June. An offer to return to Real Madrid was too irresistible for the 62-year-old tactician. Which Everton owner Farhad Moshiri admitted to talkSPORT left the Blues with ‘big, big disruptions’, after his sudden departure impacted all of the club’s plans.
Moshiri’s decision to then appoint Benitez as the new Everton manager immediately raised serious doubts over Rodriguez’s future. As per the Liverpool Echo, the pair had a strained relationship while the Spaniard stood at the Real Madrid helm.
Additionally, Benitez had questions over his fitness record and willingness to buy into the manager’s plans. Rodriguez’s £200k-a-week wage was also a factor in Benitez telling him he could leave Everton. But deals with Porto, AC Milan and Istanbul Basaksehir fell through.
Now, Rodriguez has finally left Everton and joined Al Rayyan, but his spell in Qatar may be short-lived, as well. AS report the 80-cap international has a clause in his contract with the Qatar Stars League side that could see him leave for free next year if PSG want him.
PSG clause a reason behind Rodriguez leaving Everton for Al Rayyan?
Al Rayyan agreeing to include the alleged PSG clause in Rodriguez’s contract may be a key reason behind him leaving Everton for Qatar. As well as the issues in his relationship with Benitez, who had overlooked the midfielder in all fixtures this season.
Paris Saint-Germain have strong links to Qatar through their owner, the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. PSG Chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi is also the Chairman of the shareholding organization, Qatar Sports Investments.
Rodriguez may now forge an interesting career path of Everton to Al Rayyan to PSG. Also with only the Qatari side paying a transfer fee for the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner. As Marcel Brands agreed to sign him from Real Madrid for free, via the Liverpool Echo.
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