Everton to use James Rodriguez in bid to sign Luis Diaz
Everton are reportedly keen on signing FC Porto winger Luis Diaz in a move which would see James Rodriguez move to Portugal on loan.
According to The Times journalist Paul Joyce, the Toffees want to bring the 24-year-old Colombia international to Goodison Park this summer.
James, who has been linked with an exit for the past few weeks, would finally get his way and move to another club, albeit on a temporary basis.
Via his personal Twitter account, Joyce wrote, “Everton targeting FC Porto winger Luis Diaz. As part of the deal James Rodriguez would move to Porto on season-long loan.”
Good deal
Everton were unlikely to get big money for James this late in the window and with one year left on his deal, there were chances that he would leave for a free.
Even now, the Toffees will not be getting any money from the deal, but would be a getting a player of Diaz’s calibre, albeit for a small fee, who was once admired and was on Jose Mourinho’s radar during his Tottenham Hotspur days.
According to Caracol, the Portuguese manager was pushing for Spurs to sign him in 2020, but the move did not end up materialising.
Diaz is an impressive attacking player who’s capable of playing on either wing and would be a definite upgrade on the current wide players the Toffees have among their ranks.
Per The Liverpool Echo, Diaz has been valued at around £30million in the past but including Rodriguez in the deal could see the fee be closer to £20million.
It remains to be seen if Marcel Brands can pull this one off.
In other Everton news, CL club wants to sign Everton player, agent in city to hold talks – reliable journo
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.