Sky Sports journalist: Everton make contact over priority signing, Ancelotti would love arrival

Everton have made strengthening their midfield their priority this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti is eager to bring in a couple of new faces at Goodison Park if possible, with Marcel Brands working in overdrive in Merseyside.

Both Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Napoli's Allan remain targets, but there is a fresh name that has appeared at the top of the list.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Everton have made contact with Real Madrid over the signing of James Rodriguez.

The Sky Sports journalist has admitted that the Colombian playmaker has become a priority at Goodison Park, as Ancelotti has made his thoughts clear.

"Everton still working for Doucouré - the player wants to join and come back in the Premier League," he wrote.

"Talks on with Napoli for Allan (€35m price tag). James Rodriguez is a priority fo Ancelotti: Carlo would love to sign him, the club have contacted Real Madrid."

Gylfi Sigurdsson has been transformed into a holding midfielder, something he admitted that he has enjoyed and this signing could help that.

The Icelandic international admitted that he is always too tempted to get forward and leave spaces, and Rodriguez would fill that gap ahead of Sigurdsson.

The 29-year-old is out of favour under Zinedine Zidane, and only made eight appearances in La Liga - only 419 minutes worth of action.

That could see the Toffees secure a bargain this summer, and Ancelotti looks set to take advantage of his struggles.

In other Everton news, Toffees willing to pay £20million after entering the race for this Premier League defender