Newcastle ‘to hold talks’ with Everton over James move
Newcastle United are planning ‘to hold talks’ with Everton over a possible move for James Rodriguez, according to reports.
Rodriguez, 30, looks set for a departure from Goodison Park this summer following the appointment of Rafa Benitez.
He has reportedly been told he is free to leave the club, and openly admitted in a recent Twitch stream that he didn’t even know who the club were playing this weekend.
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According to Fichajes and Calcio In Pillole journalist Ekrem Konur, Newcastle are now looking to swoop – after a request made by manager Steve Bruce.
The 60-year-old is again feeling the pressure from the Toon Army following two straight defeats and is looking to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes on August 31.
Benitez hinted at a possible exit for the Colombian prior to the 2-2 draw with Leeds on Saturday, stressing that Rodriguez was in his plans – but only until the end of August.
“I understand that people want to know everything but the situation is that he [James Rodriguez] is our player until the 31st of August – he was not available last week and he’s not available this week but maybe he will be available next week,” he told the BBC on Friday.
“Hopefully we can just carry on with the training sessions and see what happens at the end of the transfer window.”
He added: “Until the 31st August – yes he’s in my plans.”
Rodriguez, meanwhile, remains in the dark over his future whereabouts.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he told his fans on Twitch. “I don’t know – I don’t know where I’m going to play.
“You know that in football and in life you don’t know anything, but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that’s it.
“It’s complicated. [I will play] wherever I’m wanted. Someone has to be at a place they’re wanted.”
He then said earlier this week: “On the weekend I will not play, I don’t even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me?
“I think it is away because the past was here at home. Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against [Marcelo] Bielsa, a difficult game, let’s see what happens, hopefully they win.”
