Everton inform two stars they are free to leave this summer
Everton have informed James Rodriguez and Fabian Delph that they are free to leave the club this summer, according to reports.
Rodriguez moved to Goodison Park last summer when the Toffees were busy in the transfer market, also signing Allan, Ben Godfrey and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Colombia international impressed early in on his debut season for Everton, with six goals and nine assists, but he missed a number of matches through injury and his form waned towards the end of the campaign.
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Carlo Ancelotti left the club to rejoin Real Madrid earlier this month and Rodriguez looks likely to follow him in departing Everton.
It was reported in June that Everton have financial fair play ‘concerns’ and they may have to shift some of their high earners, like Rodriguez.
And a fresh report in the Liverpool Echo has now claimed that Everton have told the former Real Madrid man and team-mate Delph that they can leave this summer.
‘James Rodriguez and Fabian Delph are among the players who have been informed they will be free to leave the club in this window, if suitable offers are made.
‘The Blues are yet to receive such proposals for either pair.
‘Everton will reinvest any funds they make from sales and hope to make room in their wage bill in order to add quality to the squad.’
Delph, who has been hampered by injury, has only played 30 matches in all competitions in his two seasons at Goodison Park, including just ten last campaign.
Meanwhile, Everton captain Seamus Coleman plans to “keep going as long as possible” after signing a one-year contract extension.
The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland right-back, who had entered the final 12 months of his existing deal, has been at the club since arriving from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 in 2009.
In that time he has made 350 appearances for the club, having been made captain in 2019.
“I’m very happy – everyone around the football club and I’m sure all the fans know how much this club has meant to me from day one,” Coleman told evertontv.
“Hopefully now I can keep going as long as possible, give my experience to the younger lads, help and support them in any way I can, and contribute on the pitch as much as possible.
“It’s a massive honour to extend my time here. It was about getting my head down and to keep working hard like I’ve always done, and the club decided to reward me with that. It’s something I’m very happy with.
“It’s not something that I just wanted to be given. I worked very hard last season and thought I did quite well in the games that I played in.
“Every day in training I pushed myself to the limits and did all I could to stay and play for a big football club like this.”