James Rodriguez has admitted he would be open to re-joining Everton less than a year on from Rafa Benitez axing the midfielder, and he is now working to secure a transfer already.
That’s according to CBS, who report Rodriguez is eager to leave Al-Rayyan after only seven months at the Qatari side. The 30-year-old has endured a disjointed spell at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium so far, where he is scheduled to be under contract until the summer of 2024.
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But the Colombian may only fulfil the first year of his deal as he strives to return to Europe already. He is eager to join a club back in the continent he spent 11-years between joining Porto from Banfield and leaving Everton for Al-Rayyan following Benitez’s appointment.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes is even working to appease Rodriguez’s wish of making a return to Europe happen. The powerful representative is using his connections to sound out what interest there may be in the 86-cap international playmaker ahead of the off-season sales.
James Rodriguez working on European return after admitting he’d re-join Everton
Everton sacrificed Rodriguez at the start of the 2021/22 season as part of their attempts to stay within FFP rules. According to the Daily Mail, Benitez also informed the Carlo Ancelotti addition that he would not feature in his plans had the midfielder refused all possible exits.
Rodriguez was initially reluctant to give up a £200k-a-week contract at Goodison Park and move to Qatar. But his status under Benitez ultimately helped pave the way for a transfer, as the Colombian addressed the situation this February and said he would happily return.
“In the end, the coach didn’t want to count on me,” Rodriguez said, via quotes by AS. “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.”
New manager at Goodison Park could present a new chance for Rodriguez
Rodriguez may struggle to attract interest from elite clubs if Mendes is able to arrange a move away from Al-Rayyan. But Frank Lampard replacing Benitez at the Goodison Park helm could see the Colombian offered another chance to show his talents in England.
The playmaker offered six goals and nine assists over his 26 appearances with the Blues before Ancelotti re-joined Real Madrid. Rodriguez’s efforts under the Italian also saw ex-Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn hail his ‘excellent’ impact on the pitch and for the club.
Yet even if Rodriguez is open to re-joining Everton, it would be doubtful that the Toffees are open to him. He earned a substantial wage on Merseyside, and has only offered five goals and seven assists over 14 games for Al-Rayyan as he dips in and out of the line-up.
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