James Rodriguez’s days at Everton and the Premier League seem to be numbered as the 30-year-old Colombian international has flown to Qatar to sign for a new team, while he intends to mutually part ways with Everton.
In a report from 90min, Everton and James Rodriguez had been negotiating a termination of the players contract since the summer, but a proper destination and transfer fee was not received by the club and talks were put on hold. Now it would seem that Everton will need to bite the bullet and release Rodriguez as a way to relieve themselves of the £200,000 a week wage Rodriguez earns.
James Rodriguez was the subject of a transfer rumor to Turkey earlier this month but said transfer fell through, along with his limited appearances and injuries new Everton manager Rafael Benítez has made him surplus. Now it would seem that a team in Qatar wants to sign James Rodriguez, find out who that club is.
James Rodriguez to Qatar
James Rodriguez of Everton battles for possession with Thomas Partey of Arsenal (Getty)
The club in question is Al Rayyan, who are coached by former French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc. Al Rayyan have won eight championships in the Qatar Stars League, and the new seasonkicked off on September 11th. For Rodriguez it is a surprising destination considering he was the subject of a possible move to clubs like AC Milan, FC Porto, and Sevilla.
In total Rodriguez played 23 games for Everton and scored 6 goals, with the dips in form and constant injuries his signing was considered a disappointment by the fans and media pundits.
According to reports all that is left is to put pen to paper for James Rodriguez to join Al Rayyan. Both sides need to determine how much the player will earn in terms of wages and for the player to be released by Everton officially. The Qatar league is known to pay international players a lot of money, but what this means for Rodriguez’s international future remains to be seen.
James Rodríguez of Colombia (Getty)
Rodriguez has not been selected by the Colombian national team in their recent World Cup qualifiers and have climb the standings without the midfielder who now puts that part of his career at risk given how the Qatar league is perceived in soccer circles.
At one time Rodriguez was the subject of a potential move to MLS following his stint at Bayern Munich but those talks were put on hold when he signed for Everton. Now it would seem that the Colombian’s future is in Qatar as all that is needed is to come to terms on the new deal.
Everton at the moment sit sixth in the Premier League standings having won 3 games, drawn 1, and lost 1, their first loss came last week to Aston Villa 3-0.
