Earlier this week we brought you talk of Valencia striker Rodrigo and his very ambitious desire for a move to a big club.
We covered a conversation with AS journalist Corrado Valle on Calcio Napoli discussing the possibility of the striker heading to Napoli.
The journalist said that wasn’t going to happen as Rodrigo has set his sights on a big club. In fact, Valle stated ‘he would leave Valencia only for PSG, Manchester City…’
Levante EMV cover the exit the rumours today and say Rodrigo and Valencia had an agreement in place that they could part ways this summer as ‘the player was seduced by the possibility of new challenges and the club considered that it was the right time for a big sale’.
There were issues at both ends, though. First Valencia wanted an offer between €70m and €80m and that hasn’t arrived. For their part, Napoli only offered €50m and €10m in variables.
Secondly, Rodrigo needed an offer that tempted him and none of the offers convinced him. He saw Napoli as a sideways step from Valencia rather than him moving upwards.
They then claim Everton were in the mix but the Spaniard viewed them as a step downward at this moment in time.
The Everton interest is particularly fascinating given it’s the first time Rodrigo has come up as a potential target this summer.
They’re definitely in the market for a striker and he’d fit the profile, but the prices being touted seem a little high for their budget, particularly on one player.
That he turned them down is no surprise given they can’t offer European football, although Everton fans will be encouraged the Toffees are at least setting their sights high.
