{"id":602017,"date":"2021-09-20T17:19:13","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T21:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=602017"},"modified":"2021-09-21T06:13:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T10:13:42","slug":"james-rodriguez-everton-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/09\/20\/james-rodriguez-everton-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"James Rodriguez in Qatar for Talks as Everton Exit Looms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everton midfielder James Rodriguez is in talks with a club in Qatar as he seeks to leave the club, reports The Times<\/a>‘ Paul Joyce.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old Colombia star joined Everton in 2020<\/a> in a move that saw him reunited with then-former and now-current Real Madrid<\/a> boss Carlo Ancelotti.<\/p>\n

Ever since Rafa Benitez’s arrival to replace Ancelotti, who opted to return to his former post at the Bernabeu, it has seemed inevitable that Rodriguez would leave The Toffees.<\/p>\n

James Rodriguez Talking to Qatari Based Club With Everton Exit on the Agenda<\/h2>\n

Decent Start to Life at Everton<\/h3>\n

Since joining Everton, Rodriguez has played in 26 games, scoring five and assisting nine goals. He was particularly seen to best effect at the start of his spell, scoring three and assisting three in his first five Premier League<\/a> outings.<\/p>\n

The remainder of the season was occasionally affected by injury and he managed a further three goals and one assist in his following 18 league appearances.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez has yet to feature for the club in 2021\/22 and is unlikely to.<\/p>\n

A player of his star calibre is obviously filling an unwanted hefty spot in the club’s wage bill, especially with him not contributing to the fortunes on the pitch.<\/p>\n

Failed Porto Move<\/h3>\n

Rodriguez’s prospective return to Porto collapsed in the final days of the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

Everton are seemingly desperate to offload the two-time Champions League<\/a> winner and, as reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano<\/a>, are prepared to accept any destination for his exit.<\/p>\n

A number of familiar faces have made the move to Qatar over the years as the 2022 World Cup hosts seek to improve the level of football at home.<\/p>\n

Al-Rayyan Reported to Be the Club in for James Rodriguez<\/h3>\n

Elsewhere, as cited by Zach Lowy, Cesar Luis Merlo reports that Rodriguez is headed to Al-Rayyan, a club coached by former Paris Saint-Germain<\/a> manager Laurent Blanc.<\/p>\n

\n

James Rodr\u00edguez has reached an agreement to play for Al-Rayyan in Qatar until June 2022. Between his wages and the loan fee, Al Rayyan will pay \u20ac8 million, per @CLMerlo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) September 20, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n