Everton is expected to complete the deals of James Rodriguez and Santiago Arias from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively.
To the delight of Everton fans, the club has started taking giant leaps when it comes to transfers. After a rather dormant first half of the transfer window, the last week has been extremely fruitful for the Toffees. Everton looks to complete a double La Liga swoop in the upcoming days for James Rodriguez and Santiago Arias from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
The James Rodriguez operation has gained momentum in the last 48 hours with the Royal Blues extremely close to agreeing on a transfer. Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news that Everton have contacted Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti has personally called the Colombian to convince him for a move.
Now according to the Daily Star, James Rodriguez is on the verge of completing a £27 million transfer to Goodison Park. Carlo Ancelotti has been a key persuasion factor in the deal and convincing James to reunite with the Italian manager.
The duo came in contact with one another at Real Madrid and under Don Carlo’s guidance, James was able to touch the cloud nine at Real Madrid. The Los Blancos star has never been the same and has struggled under Zinedine Zidane. The French boss has made it clear that James is surplus to requirements and with just one year left on the deal, selling him now is the best option.
James Rodriguez will be a marquee signing for the Toffees who will hope to regain his lost touch under Ancelotti. A deal is now expected to be completed in a few days and the Colombian could be an Everton player before the end of the month.
As for Santiago Arias, Everton are now considered in a comfortable position. Marcel Brands knows the Colombian from PSV days and is keen to bring the right back to Goodison Park. While no official offers have been made yet, the Toffees can hope of completing a transfer once the round of negotiations start with Atletico Madrid willing to sell.
According to AS (via Sport Witness), Atletico Madrid are looking to bolster their squad by signing a midfielder and a forward this summer. The names of Arsenal duo Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira are doing rounds alongside the name of Edinson Cavani. However, Los Rojiblancos will need to make player sales in order to facilitate new arrivals.
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The other Madrid team signed Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix last year for €64 and €126 million respectively. Despite Antoine Griezmann’s sale last summer, Atletico need to make player sales before signing any new players to escape any FFP breaches.
It is believed that Santiago Arias is one of the stars that will be sold to generate funds. Kieran Trippier and Sime Vrsaljko are the preferred right backs and Arias is the ‘chosen’ one to leave the Wanda Metropolitano.
The report further added that Everton will do everything possible to get the Colombian and sort the deal. A figure of €15 million will be enough to allow Santiago Arias to leave Atletico Madrid and join Everton.
A double La Liga swoop can soon be expected if things go according to the plan.