After going cold on James Rodriguez, AC Milan eye £27 million ex-Everton man
The day Carlo Ancelotti left Everton, doubts were cast on the future of James Rodriguez. The Colombian came to Merseyside because of Ancelotti. Had the Italian not been in charge of the Toffees, would Rodriguez sign? Highly unlikely.
New manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly open to letting James go and has not included the 30 year old in his plans. The Player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, reportedly offered him to three clubs earlier in the window: AC Milan, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid.
AC Milan took interest in the former Real Madrid playmaker. The Rossoneri are searching for a replacement for Hakan Calhanoglu who has now been nicknamed a traitor after crossing the great divide and signing for arch rivals Inter Milan on a free transfer. AC Milan were considering James as one of the options.
In fact, Mendes even held a meeting with Milan to discuss Rodriguez. However, it appears that Milan have gone cold on the idea of signing the Colombian. The reason for discarding the idea of signing James is unknown but it could be because of his high wages and poor fitness record.
Milan eye Nikola Vlasic after going cold on Everton star James Rodriguez
As for Everton, James has just a little over a week to engineer a move away from Goodison. The Toffees are expecting a bid in the region of £10-15 million from any interested party. Meanwhile, Milan are attentive to another player who once played for Everton, Nikola Vlasic.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Milan have contacted CSKA Moscow who are open to selling the Croatian. To Milan’s pleasure, the Russians are ready to accept a deferred payment with €10 million upfront and another €20 million. Vlasic is also keen to go to Milan.
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For a brief period, there was even talk of Vlasic’s return to Everton. The Croat arrived at Goodison as a 19 year old and wasn’t able to impress but that was down to him being played out of position in a defensive-minded setup.
"It was hard. The hardest was when we would play 4-4-2. I would be on the right-wing but it was more right wing-back because we were so defensive. I played three or four times under Allardyce and I felt like I was a full-back. It was the first experience for me in that position and I felt so bad because I had never played winger before. (via Liverpool ECHO)"
Reports emerged back in June that the Toffees could activate Vlasic’s release clause. It was only when Vlasic’s agent cleared the air that Everton have not contacted him regarding Vlasic. The player has shined since leaving the Royal Blues.
"Everton has not contacted me about Nikola, and this is not a question at the moment. But who knows what the future holds. Everything is possible. (via Daily Star)"
Vlasic could be on his way to Milan and for Everton, they will always wonder what could have been if the Croatian would’ve stayed.
Next. Fiorentina consider £31. 5m Everton man as replacement to Atletico bound Dusan Vlahovic. dark
Would Nikola Vlasic have been an ideal replacement for James Rodriguez?