Turkish football agent Ahmet Bulut has claimed Everton’s James Rodriguez turned down the chance to join Basaksehir in the summer transfer window.
The Colombian star has been linked with an exit from Goodison Park all summer, with it made clear he wants out following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.
The arrival of Rafa Benitez as his replacement at Everton only seemed to confirm he would be leaving, with the pair enjoying a frosty relationship following their time working together at Real Madrid.
He was linked with a move to Italy and Portugal, but neither of those came about as the finances made things difficult.
It was then suggested he could move to Turkey as Basaksehir made a move to pull off what would have been a glamour signing for them.
Ultimately a move didn’t happen, though, as the Turkish deadline passed with reports that the midfielder had turned down the opportunity and instead elected to stay at Everton.
Now, Bulut, who didn’t make clear what his involvement was, has said that was the case.
🎙️ Menajer Ahmet Bulut'tan James Rodriguez açıklaması 👇
💬 "James'in Başakşehir'e gelme ihtimali vardı. Göksel başkan anlaştı. Fakat; futbolcunun gitmeme niyeti vardı. Normalde kiralık olarak gelecekti. İngiltere'de şans bulabileceğini düşündüğü için transfer olmadı."
— Fotomaç (@fotomac) September 9, 2021
“There was a chance that James would come to Basaksehir,” Fotomac report him saying.
“The president has agreed. But I don’t think the footballer had the intention of going.
“He’d have arrived on loan, but he didn’t transfer because he thought he might get a chance in England.”
